Fear of Landing

APRIL 19, 2024

The helicopter turned left to return to the airport, travelling at about 85 knots. The indicated airspeed had fallen below 65 knots and was still decreasing. The helicopter was at treetop height with an indicated airspeed of zero knots when the right yaw ceased. The pilot reported two miles out.

Torque

Air Facts

MARCH 26, 2025

The airspeed indicator registered 55 knots, close to the Cessna 172s stall speed. But as I banked into my final approach, my heart sank. I did the worst thing possible and tried to lose altitude by steepening my approach. There in his hand, hung elegantly from a necklace chain, was the tail tie-down.

Knot

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

As we pushed back, the colors popped on the various tails parked down the row of gates, and we sat in line for takeoff with the low sun angle perfectly lighting a yellow Spirit Airbus against an ominous dark sky, save for the rainbow that arched high across the vista. Go-around , flaps 13,” I called.

Runway

Chess In the Air

JULY 4, 2022

In certain conditions blowing dust (a “ haboob “) can make an approaching front easily visible. Imagine being on final approach right when a small-scale thermal breaks off the ground that can even send a 300 pound porta-potty flying high into the air. (Btw That does very little when you’re in 10-20 knot sink.

Wind Shear

Aerotime

JULY 19, 2024

The aircraft was powered by three General Electric CF6 turbofan engines, with one mounted under each wing and a third located above the rear fuselage in the base of the tail. On scanning the engine instruments, it quickly became apparent that the number two tail-mounted engine had failed.

Runway

Air Facts

OCTOBER 7, 2024

It was a beefed up, militarized version of the Beechcraft Bonanza with a narrowed fuselage and conventional tail, seating two pilots in tandem cockpits with controls and indicators configured similarly to tactical aircraft of the period. Dropping like an inverted dart tail first, Morris, from his aft cockpit perch exclaimed,“Wheeeee!”

Cockpit

Photographic Logbook

JANUARY 25, 2025

Not Cool, Man After transitioning across multiple sectors of Boston Center's vast airspace, the home stretch found us on with Boston Approach under a crisp, blue New Hampshire sky. With as much as 25 knots of tailwind, we made the flight from Sodus to Alton Bay in only two hours. More vintage cred: a V-tailed Beechcraft Bonanza!

Runway

Photographic Logbook

AUGUST 20, 2023

I flew to my hometown against a 30 knot headwind that stretched the flight time to just over three hours. By the time I crossed into Canada, the landscape ahead was cloaked in darkness with the western horizon at my tail dimly radiating twilight's residual warmth. At the fuel pump in Sodus preparing for departure.

Runway

Chess In the Air

JUNE 24, 2022

The Rifle ASOS recorded a gust of 43 mph from the south: a 100-degree shift in direction, putting it right on his tail. This is consistent with Rick’s report, which referenced 9 knots of wind. The Rifle ASOS recorded a gust of 43 kt from the south: a 100-degree shift in direction, putting it right on his tail.”

Pilot