Pilot Institute
JULY 11, 2025
Key Takeaways Mach number is a dimensionless ratio of true airspeed to local speed of sound. Mach number is simply a ratio of your true airspeed to the local speed of sound. That’s the speed your airspeed indicator shows based on ram air pressure in the pitot tube. Here’s why. It varies with temperature.
Flying Magazine
MAY 7, 2025
Naval Academy, approached the problem by setting lift-drag ratio, L/D, as his metric of efficiency. These are indicated, not true, airspeeds.) I believe the reason is that flight testing reveals that with the added drag of a windmilling propeller, which my simulation ignores, a lower gliding speed is better.
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Pilot Institute
NOVEMBER 16, 2024
If you’re aiming to get comfortable with managing both airspeed and altitude in flight, you’ll need to understand the difference between indicated airspeed (IAS) and true airspeed (TAS). Key Takeaways Airspeed and altitude are directly linked to each other throughout different phases of your flight.
Professional Pilot
JULY 7, 2025
Every pilot knows that aircraft fly because the forces of lift and thrust balance or exceed the weight and drag countering them. Aeronautical engineers improve continually on that imbalance with better airfoils and powerplants along with aircraft designs and materials to reduce weight and drag.
Flying Magazine
JUNE 30, 2025
Ailerons are actuated by pushrods that run through the wing struts, reducing aerodynamic drag and giving the responsive ailerons a solid feel. On takeoff, the NX fuselage is already level rather than in the high-drag, nose high position. The manual flaps have four positions, up, 16 degrees, 33 degrees, and 46 degrees.
Flight Training Central
SEPTEMBER 9, 2024
The result of an alteration in airflow patterns increasing induced drag about the wings of an airplane. What true airspeed should a pilot expect at 9,000 feet on a standard day with 65 percent maximum continuous power? What is ground effect? twice the length of the wingspan above the surface.
Pilot Institute
MAY 4, 2024
Your aircraft will fly at a faster true airspeed at higher density altitudes. 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.
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