Every pilot would love it if Mother Nature cooperated every time they entered the cockpit and gave us clear skies and tailwinds for every flight. Unfortunately, Mother Nature can be moody and vindictive, and occasionally seems to bring the clouds down, just to spite us. Sometimes, we’d like to fly, but the weather is below Read More…
What happens when you want to land, but the wind isn’t directly down the runway? Well, if you happen to be flying in the Navy you can radio to the ship captain to position the runway at a better angle. For the rest of us, you have to make a crosswind landing. Although this can Read More…
Flaps have become ubiquitous on modern airplanes, as they give pilots more flexibility and maneuverability during landing and, occasionally, takeoff. The purpose of flaps is to create both extra lift and drag, lift being created by increasing the surface area of the wing, and drag by extending the flap down into the air stream. This Read More…
The altimeter is only one of many instruments, but it is one of the most important because it tells the pilot how high they are. But just reading the number indicated doesn’t give the full picture about what’s going on. Why? Because there are different definitions of altitude, and altimeters must be calibrated correctly to Read More…
Class G airspace can often times be confusing and misunderstood, especially for new pilots. We are taught about Class A, B, C, and D airspace, and that E stands for everything else. But what exactly is Class G airspace, where is it located, and what are the requirements to fly in it? What are the Read More…