Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 2, 2024

This can cause you to lose lift. Remember Bernoulli’s Theorem and how lift is created. The loss of lift causes the aircraft to stall and lose altitude. When the aircraft is in a high-drag configuration, a stall at a low altitude can be quite dangerous. Without a quick reaction, it can lead to a dangerous situation.

Descent

WayMan

MAY 25, 2025

Wings: The Source of Lift The wings are what make fixed-wing flight possible. As air moves over the curved top surface of the wing and the flatter bottom, lift is generated, allowing the plane to rise. Regardless of placement, the principle remains the same: wings generate the lift that makes flight possible.

Lift

Pilot Institute

APRIL 12, 2025

Lift is the force that aircraft use to counter gravity. Newton’s Third Law is one of the key laws of physics that explains lift. Lets see what Newtons Third Law is, and why we need it to understand lift. This principle is fundamental in generating lift, thrust, and maneuverability, allowing aircraft to fly.

Torque

Pilot's Life Blog

JANUARY 5, 2025

Approach speeds typically range from 80 to 90 knots depending on weight and flap settings, while full flaps are often used to provide the necessary lift during landing. Full flaps provide maximum lift and stability, allowing the aircraft to fly slower without stalling. This is a critical step when learning how to land a Piper Seminole.

Descent

Plane and Pilot

JULY 22, 2025

Noting the tailwheel was indeed unlocked, I moved my foot to the top of the rudder pedals to ensure the brakes were operating as normal. For those unfamiliar with the practice of S-turning, it is a combination of using the rudder pedals to quite literally form the shape of an “S” on the ground in order to peer in front of the airplane’s nose.

Runway

Plane and Pilot

JULY 1, 2025

A witness reported that they saw the airplane lift off from the runway and remain in ground effect until it crossed the departure end of the runway. The pilot applied right rudder in an attempt to correct this, resulting in a ground loop. He had no further memory of the event. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.

Density Altitude

Northstar VFR

JULY 21, 2024

More right rudder!!” The airplane rudder is one of the most misunderstood of the primary flight controls. Yet the rudder is one of the most important and one of the most under-utilized. The rudder’s most important function is controlling the yaw of the aircraft, which moves the nose of the plane left and right.

Rudder

Pilot Institute

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

The lift and drag imbalance between the left and right ailerons creates adverse yaw. A pilot can prevent adverse yaw by using rudder, and making sure that a turn is coordinated. Adverse yaw is an undesirable side effect of lift production, resulting in an uncoordinated, slipping turn. What is Adverse Yaw?

Aileron

Vintage Aviation News

OCTOBER 7, 2024

The unique cylindrical design of the fuselage allowed for a streamlined profile and reduced drag, increasing the overall efficiency. The duct, as predicted by Stipa, had a profile similar to that of the airfoil, with a fairly small rudder and elevators mounted on the trailing edge of the duct. The Stipa-Caproni in flight. II Editore F.

Airfoil

Pilot Institute

MARCH 29, 2024

Common mistakes include neglecting clearing turns, delaying stall recovery, and misusing the rudder. Lift : The aerodynamic force generated due to airflow over the wings. Drag : The aerodynamic force opposing the aircraft’s forward motion. The aircraft’s deceleration reduces the airflow over the wings, which reduces lift.

Lift

Pilot Institute

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024

A smaller bank angle will result in more lift, while an increased bank angle will reduce the lift. As an aircraft banks, lift is divided into horizontal and vertical components. The horizontal component of lift causes the aircraft to turn. Combining both components of lift, the total lift required increases.

Lift

Pilot Institute

MAY 9, 2024

The higher speed creates extra lift, causing the airplane to bank further into the turn. The aileron on the right wing deflects down, increasing the camber and creating more lift. The left wing’s aileron deflects up, decreasing lift. The lift imbalance causes the roll. This drag imbalance amplifies the adverse yaw.

Rudder

Pilot's Life Blog

MARCH 15, 2024

Generate Lift With Airplane Wings One of the most valuable airplane parts that connect to the fuselage is the wings. The wings work with other sections of an aircraft to increase lift and adjust stalling speed. Wing flaps: Located on the trailing edges of the wings, the flaps are movable surfaces that help overcome drag.

Horizontal Stabilizer

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 18, 2024

He had to drag out his tent and spend the night waiting for the next high tide to release him from his predicament. We tried lifting the rear of the floats to increase the buoyancy offered by the larger front float chambers. Even years later, a couple of his friends take great pleasure in sending him printed tide tables as a reminder.

Airplanes

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 18, 2024

He had to drag out his tent and spend the night waiting for the next high tide to release him from his predicament. We tried lifting the rear of the floats to increase the buoyancy offered by the larger front float chambers. Even years later, a couple of his friends take great pleasure in sending him printed tide tables as a reminder.

Airplanes

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

Full flaps are generally used since they lower approach speed and increase drag. The drag allows for a steeper descent, which is particularly helpful when avoiding obstacles. Reducing lift puts more weight on the wheels. Use the rudder to keep the aircraft in line with the runway and apply aileron into the wind.

Weight-Shift-Control

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

The outer wing generates more lift than the inner wing since it’s temporarily moving faster. Extra lift makes the wing rise. 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.

Stability

Pilot Institute

APRIL 5, 2024

Your ailerons and rudder will be neutral once you’re in the crab position. We use the rudder to align the aircraft’s longitudinal axis with the centerline. Simultaneously, we apply ailerons opposite the rudder input. The pilot needs to hold aileron and rudder deflection the entire time.

Crosswind

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 9, 2024

We learn all about aerodynamics, thrust, drag, lift, and gravity, study flight manuals, emergency procedures, and FARs, take oral exams and check rides, and constantly review everything we can find about flying. This brings me to another profound phrase, the Boy Scout motto of “ Be Prepared.”

Runway

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 12, 2024

This creates boundary layer separation, resulting in a loss of lift. This requires rudder input to maintain directional control. While takeoff flaps improve performance, they also add unwanted drag. Be careful because retracting the flaps causes the center of the lift to move forward. What Is a Power-on Stall?

Stability

Flight Training Central

JANUARY 15, 2024

Once the brakes are released as the airplane accelerates, adjust the airplane’s pitch to attain minimum drag and maximum acceleration. As YOU reach the recommended roation speed, apply back-elevator pressure until reaching the appropriate Vx attitude to ensure a smooth and firm lift-off. Check airspeed indicator (“airspeed alive”).

Density Altitude

Flying Magazine

MAY 6, 2025

Now, release the brakes and feel yourself pressed into the seat as you discover less right rudder is needed than you expect. It retained the classic, high-lift Clark Y airfoil, but the span of its four-position semi-Fowler flap span was extended. Confirm the gauges reflect full power and feel the airplane quiver in anticipation.

Gross Weight

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 3, 2024

Winging It Aside from the aforementioned desire for a greater aspect ratio for reduced drag, the one-piece Gweduck wing was developed for minimal weight, ease of construction and benign handling. Keeping drag corralled was emphasized as the Gweduck mission is foremost long-distance cruising. Maintenance room is generally very good.

Airplanes