Pilot Institute
JUNE 4, 2025
How does it turn or climb without the usual control surfaces? Despite their lack of horizontal control surfaces, tailless aircraft are designed to be stable. With this type of aircraft, the functions of longitudinal stability and control are incorporated into the main wing. Ever wondered how it stays balanced?
Pilot's Life Blog
JANUARY 12, 2025
Flying a small plane at lower altitudes allows pilots to navigate visually and avoid the complexities of high-altitude air traffic control. When flying a small plane, staying within the appropriate altitude ensures better control and a more comfortable experience, especially in turbulent weather.
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Pilot Institute
FEBRUARY 20, 2025
These control surfaces dictate the aircraft’s roll, and this allows it to bank smoothly through turns or even recover from turbulence. Have you ever wondered how pilots keep control at high speeds, during stalls, or even when systems fail? Key Takeaways Ailerons control the aircrafts roll by adjusting lift on each wing.
Pilot Institute
MAY 4, 2024
Aircraft Weight and Limitations An aircraft’s weight affects inertia and stopping distance. The POH lists landing distances for specific gross weights. Smaller aircraft may only have short field landing distances for maximum gross weight. This is because there is less airflow over the control surfaces.
Pilot Institute
JULY 12, 2024
Watch out for some common mistakes, such as over-controlling and reacting incorrectly to visual cues. Approach Path Control Energy Management How to Improve Approach Path Control Using Ground References Your pattern work will improve the more you standardize it. Adjust power to control your descent rate.
Pilot Institute
JUNE 12, 2025
The design adds weight, complexity, and maintenance needs. As you reach high speeds, especially near or above the speed of sound, you can then sweep the wings back to reduce drag. They delay the formation of shock waves that cause wave drag. You can adjust the wings using a manual control in the cockpit.
Vintage Aviation News
AUGUST 22, 2024
Otherwise, our maintenance guys’ corrosion control team would rip me a new one. Besides, we had our hands full, fighting to maintain control of the airplane. That meant balancing aerodynamic forces on the flight controls with a large “trim wheel” linked by cables to tabs on the aft edge of our horizontal tail. Descent check!”
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