Pilot's Life Blog

JANUARY 12, 2025

These altitudes minimize fuel use, avoid turbulence, and provide smoother rides for passengers. Flying a small plane at lower altitudes allows pilots to navigate visually and avoid the complexities of high-altitude air traffic control. Weight and Load The payload significantly impacts a planes ability to reach an optimal altitude.

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Weight-Shift-Control Air Traffic Control Turbulence Weather 52

Pilot Institute

JANUARY 3, 2025

Moving erratically : Conditions are gusty or turbulent. The best windsocks strike a balance between weight and strength. A well-installed windsock should rotate freely on bearings, allowing it to turn smoothly as the wind direction shifts. How To Read a Windsock Hanging limp : Winds are under 3 knots. Why is this important?

Knot 98

Knot Weather Wind Shear Weight-Shift-Control 98

Plane and Pilot

MAY 3, 2025

Lets go back to that time in postwar GA when the sands shifted quickly. The Ercoupe was designed with only two controls, roll and pitch, so it couldnt be kicked out in a crosswindit had to withstand landing in a crab. There were 23 runway loss of control (RLOC) events. The rich can dream of jets and warbirds.

Approach 73

Approach Airplanes Stability Weight-Shift-Control 73

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.

Aileron 90

Aileron Weight-Shift-Control Rudder Longitudinal Axis 90

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 23, 2024

Key Takeaways A flat spin is a dangerous, level-flight spin with reduced control effectiveness. A flat spin happens when the center of gravity shifts too far aft (toward the tail), and the aircraft’s rotation becomes more horizontal. Ready to become a safer pilot? Let’s get started! An aft center of gravity increases flat spin risk.

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Center of Gravity Weight-Shift-Control Aileron Rudder 98

Pilot Institute

JUNE 12, 2025

The design adds weight, complexity, and maintenance needs. These systems control the wings, but engineers also take structural integrity and aerodynamic balance into consideration. These movements are controlled by hydraulic or electric actuators, which are managed by onboard computers or you, the pilot.

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Weight-Shift-Control Drag Lift Payload 52

Pilot Institute

MARCH 7, 2025

And during these maneuvers, you need to: Act as the sole manipulator of the flight controls. At these heights, you could get into turbulence and gusty crosswinds. Youd be far less likely to lose control in unexpected situations when you stay proficient. Loss of Control Why does loss of control happen in general aviation (GA)?

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Pilot Weight-Shift-Control Pilot in Command Crosswind 52