Pilot Institute

JUNE 12, 2025

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

Air Facts

JUNE 6, 2025

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

Air Facts

JULY 15, 2024

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.

Crosswind

Air

MAY 21, 2025

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.

Crosswind

AV Web

MAY 22, 2024

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

AV Web

MAY 22, 2024

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

Air Facts

AUGUST 21, 2024

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.

Groundspeed