Takeoffs & Landings

A crosswind landing can be stressful and difficult, here are four considerations that every great pilot should know. [lwptoc numerationSuffix=”dot” title=”CONTENTS” titleFontSize=”34px” itemsFontSize=”18px”] Inexperienced pilots sometimes fly in dread of a crosswind landing.  Sometimes experienced aviators prefer to avoid them. Such extreme conditions are usually rare, however, and safe pilots tend to avoid such landing …

READ MORE 4 Considerations of a Crosswind Landing Every Great Pilot Should Know

Learning correct emergency descent procedures is vital for student pilots looking to master the art and science of flying. [lwptoc numerationSuffix=”dot” title=”Contents” titleFontSize=”30px” itemsFontSize=”18pt”] Student pilots must learn the basics of the emergency descent procedures of the airplane they are learning to fly. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA (opens in a new window)) requires this …

READ MORE What You Should to Know About an Emergency Descent Procedure

Truly understanding how to execute a short field takeoff is one of the markers that separates a beginner pilot from an experienced one. The ability to safely demonstrate a short field takeoff is expected of pilots holding a Commercial certificate, as this indicates that he or she can demonstrate precise control (opens in a new …

READ MORE How to Nail a Short Field Takeoff

A smart pilot’s departure begins long before he or she climbs into the cockpit. One of the most important aspects of becoming airborne takes place before the airplane is anywhere near the runway. Pilots must be sure to follow each step of preparing for departure carefully and with attention to detail. Doing so not only …

READ MORE What Goes Into Prepping for Departure?

Many instructors compliment their student pilots’ learning sessions in the cockpit with some touch-and-goes, but some CFIs do not think the practice actually contributes to proficiency and safety. However, experienced pilots sometimes turn to this practice drill because can be a good way to get used to a new aircraft. Sometimes you might see a …

READ MORE What is a Touch and Go?

Some people warm up their cars before taking to the road but others don’t.  Some use electric turning signals, some use hand signals, and others don’t. There is a lot of variation in how people begin their drives with some using a more thoughtful, experienced approach and others just taking their chances. In aviation, with …

READ MORE What Happens During a Small-Plane Takeoff?

With all of the safety advances in equipment and in pilot training, the vast majority of airplane problems are surmountable, and even if an airplane makes its way to the ground against the will of the pilot, in the majority of cases things come out acceptable and nobody dies. As a matter of fact, after …

READ MORE Preparing a Small Airplane for an Anticipated Hard Landing

Pilots are taught that they must check out an airplane with great care before taking to the air with the machine.  This process is called a preflight.  But what goes on during a preflight.  Does a pilot walk-up and kick the tires and peer into a gas tank to make sure there’s enough then start …

READ MORE Airplane Preflight

Whether you’re sitting in an airport restaurant gazing out at the runway or maybe standing at a small airport with your nose poked through the chain-link fence watching airplane landings and take offs, it’s always thrilling to see an air machine connect with or depart from the pavement.    There’s just something special about seeing thousands …

READ MORE Airplane Landings

Most fields of endeavor have tricks of the trade or rules of thumb that help practitioners take care of business more easily. For example, one trick to parallel-parking a normal car in countries where we drive on the right side of the road is to wait to turn the steering wheel hard right until you, …

READ MORE Dead Bug Landings