Pilot's Life Blog

JANUARY 5, 2025

Review current weather conditions, including wind speed, direction, and visibility, as these can significantly impact the approach. Managing the critical engine, which is the engine closest to the aircrafts wingtip, is key to reducing drag and maintaining control.

Descent 52

Descent Final Approach Approach Runway 52

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 18, 2024

The weather had cleared after our arrival, offering warmer temperatures and occasional sunshine, which is rare for this part of Alaska in summer. He had to drag out his tent and spend the night waiting for the next high tide to release him from his predicament. To put it mildly, it is a very risky maneuver.

Airplanes 85

Airplanes Torque Tail Pilot 85

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 18, 2024

The weather had cleared after our arrival, offering warmer temperatures and occasional sunshine, which is rare for this part of Alaska in summer. He had to drag out his tent and spend the night waiting for the next high tide to release him from his predicament. To put it mildly, it is a very risky maneuver.

Airplanes 83

Airplanes Torque Tail Pilot 83

Airspeed Junkie

AUGUST 2, 2024

Several incidents involving the Cessna 172 have been documented, typically attributed to pilot error, adverse weather conditions, or mechanical issues. Other modifications include flap gap seals that reduce drag and improve aerodynamic efficiency, and a nose wheel pant that encloses the lower nose strut for better aerodynamics.

Knot 98

Knot Cockpit Pilot Gross Weight 98

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

Weather, field conditions, obstacles, and many other elements greatly affect short field operations. 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. The two techniques frequently go hand-in-hand.

Weight-Shift-Control 52

Weight-Shift-Control Runway Density Altitude Descent 52

Pilot Institute

MAY 8, 2025

During certain phases of flight, you may retract the landing gear to reduce drag and improve climb performance. If the weather becomes risky, if youre having trouble with your fuel supply, or for any other reason, you might decide to land to avoid an emergency. Check the weather conditions. But how does this happen?

Air Traffic Control 52

Air Traffic Control Runway Pilot Approach 52

Pilot Institute

APRIL 5, 2024

But don’t hang up your headset just because the weather isn’t perfect. 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.

Crosswind 52

Crosswind Longitudinal Axis Aileron Rudder 52

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. The weather was doable, 1,500 feet overcast with the visibility at 2 miles in light, blowing snow.

Runway 95

Runway Pilot Approach Weather 95

Photographic Logbook

AUGUST 11, 2023

Shy of a hurricane or tornado, the Warrior can easily tolerate most weather phenomena experienced while parked outdoors in her cabin cover. No one wants the skin of their airplane to resemble a dimpled golf ball, Pollyanna commentary about drag reduction aside. Fortunately, the hail was small and the damage minor.

Descent 52

Descent Approach Airplanes Runway 52

Plane and Pilot

JANUARY 7, 2025

She flew like a big, lumbering Cub of sorts, complete with a wooden rudder bar, tall wooden stick, and instruments that seemed like they were straight out of World War One. Plus, the NX can actually do a few things the conventional-gear XCub cant, mainly because it can attain a high angle of attack before the tailskid drags.

Airplanes 98

Airplanes Tail Pilot Jet 98

Photographic Logbook

SEPTEMBER 22, 2024

Though renowned for its maneuverability, the Triplane struggled to pull away from the Camel, fighting against the fundamental drag of its triple tiered wings. However, turning the wheel actuates the rudder (instead of the ailerons). A little weather en route home. 1917 Curtiss JN-4H "Jenny" (original).

Airplanes 59

Airplanes Runway Pilot Aileron 59