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Tailless Aircraft: How Airplanes Fly Without a Tail

Pilot Institute

A tailless aircraft is a fixed-wing airplane without a horizontal stabilizing surface. With this type of aircraft, the functions of longitudinal stability and control are incorporated into the main wing. Directional (yawing) stability from the vertical stabilizer. What Is a Tailless Aircraft? Lets find out.

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Flight Test Files: The Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket – Chasing Mach 2

Vintage Aviation News

These stories shine a light on the aircraft and test pilots that pushed the limits of aeronautical knowledge, many of them flying out of the legendary Dryden Flight Research Center (now Armstrong Flight Research Center) at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Research pilot John McKay flew it once in this form on September 17, 1956.

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What are the Key Parts of a Plane?

WayMan

For anyone training to become a pilot or aviation technician, understanding the anatomy of an aircraft is one of the first essential steps. This is where the pilot and any co-pilot sit and manage every aspect of flight. These parts help the aircraft maintain its stability in flight.

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Exploring the Essential Sections of an Aircraft: A Comprehensive Guide

Pilot's Life Blog

One of the first things an aspiring pilot learns in flight school is the various sections of an aircraft. If you’re wondering how to become a commercial pilot in Arizona , this in-depth guide to important aircraft parts will help in your pursuit. All of these primary control surfaces serve as a horizontal stabilizer for the plane.

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The Hazards of Aircraft Icing: Explained

Pilot Institute

And ice doesn’t just make things slippery, it messes with the airflow over the wings, cuts down on lift, and ramps up drag. This leads to a serious loss of lift and an increase in drag. This roughness adds to friction drag, which can reduce lift and increase drag by as much as 50% on a wing’s leading edge and upper surface.

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Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Grumman X-29

Vintage Aviation News

It was certainly a most unusual aircraft, distinguished by its forward swept wing and canard horizontal stabilizers. This was why the strakes were added to the X-29’s tail, in order to reduce drag from using the trim on the canard in the nose.

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What Is a Dutch Roll, and Is It Dangerous?

Pilot Institute

Large aircraft use yaw dampers while small aircraft rely on piloting techniques to counter Dutch roll. Increased lift on the raised wing immediately creates more induced drag. What’s induced drag? The higher drag on the raised wing reduces its speed relative to the lower wing. Dutch rolls are usually not dangerous.