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A Cardinal Problem

Air Facts

With its sleek, cantilever wing and raked tail, it seemed like a step up from the more pedestrian Skyhawk. Second, there was a strong south wind blowing straight down the runway—great for slowing the airplane’s groundspeed. A Cardinal Problem Air Facts Journal I’ve always liked the Cessna Cardinal. Then we came up with one more idea.

Runway 52
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Managing the wind

Air Facts

It was fun doing over 200 knots groundspeed over Rawlings until I realized a solid wall of thunderstorms had formed between me and home, and there were 35 knot winds below. I could turn tail, but things were not much better back further west. But the patient was hours late, and I found myself returning late in the afternoon.

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Thrust Reversal Explained: How It Helps Aircraft Stop Safely

Pilot Institute

At low groundspeeds, the air flowing through the engine is much less than at high speeds. Aircraft with tail-mounted engines, such as the DC-9, could get away with using buckets. When spooled up to maximum reverse thrust, they can throw a huge mass of air forward, producing a strong braking force. This, of course, means less thrust.

Thrust 52
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Aviation Winds Types Explained: A Pilot’s In-Depth Guide

Air

Drawbacks: In cruise, a headwind reduces your groundspeed , meaning your journey will take longer and consume more fuel. It increases your groundspeed , shortening your flight time and saving fuel. It increases your groundspeed , shortening your flight time and saving fuel. – A negative value indicates tailwind.

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Blog: V-Tail Myths And The Truth, As We Know It, So Far

AV Web

As the former owner of a vintage V-tail Bonanza, I always pay attention when one of them crashes. Both invoke traditional assumptions about V-tails, and even vintage Bonanza lovers like me acknowledge there is at least a grain or two of truth in each. Last week’s tragedy in Tennessee drew particularly wide interest for two reasons.

Tail 105
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Blog: V-Tail Myths And The Truth, As We Know It, So Far

AV Web

As the former owner of a vintage V-tail Bonanza, I always pay attention when one of them crashes. Both invoke traditional assumptions about V-tails, and even vintage Bonanza lovers like me acknowledge there is at least a grain or two of truth in each. Last week’s tragedy in Tennessee drew particularly wide interest for two reasons.

Tail 98
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A fun fuel run

Air Facts

My Sonex cruises about 130 mph at this power setting, but headed southeast into the wind I am losing an easy 15 mph on my groundspeed. As I watch the white dashes flash past beneath the nostrils of the Sonex, the tail comes up. My groundspeed is 150 mph and ahead of me the sunlight streams in Jacob’s Ladder’s from the clouds.