Tag Archives: training aircraft

G-Loads and the Envelope

When I learned how to fly in 1971, I was a kid who really did not know much about anything, but thought I knew everything.  When it came to airplanes and flying, I knew even less than I realized.  When … Continue reading

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Flying, Biplanes, and Museums

This morning when I got up, I began trying to catch up on some of my reading. One of the emails I read came from AOPA_ePilot@aopa.org and the lead article, titled, “Plane Jane makes last flight,” made me reflect on … Continue reading

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Learning How to Land

This one is for all the students trying to master the technique of bringing an airplane back to earth.  This is from the notes I kept when I was trying to learn how to land. ———————– Now, how does one … Continue reading

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Takeoffs and Climbs

Yesterday I touched on the theory of the different kinds of climbs.  I discussed the best-rate of climb (Vy) and the best-angle of climb (Vx).  Today, let’s talk about how we use the appropriate climb speed for given situations. Most … Continue reading

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The Luscombe

After the war, another little airplane that had quite the following was the Luscombe.  It came in a variety of flavors; the 8A and 8F were very popular. When the airplane came out, it was powered by the typical engine … Continue reading

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Misconceptions About Landing

Wednesday, I wrote about a pilot flying a light twin who made a hot approach and floated down the runway.  I think there are many pilots who carry misconceptions about flying into the cockpit with them when they learn how … Continue reading

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100,000 Airplanes

Which aircraft manufacturing company first reached the milestone of 100,000 aircraft manufactured?  What company was most likely to do this?  Boeing, perhaps?  Mooney?  Lockheed?  Piper? No.  The company was Clyde’s. Clyde Cessna. Cessna was a Kansas farmer who was the … Continue reading

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Crosswind Landings

We were leaving school about 6:30 in the evening.  I was with my wife and one of our authors—they had been working on a book while I was teaching school and we agreed to give him a lift home afterward.  … Continue reading

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Back in the Old Days

The old days.  What is the definition of “the old days?”  It depends on your point of view, that point of view being age.  If you are young, the old days were back in kindergarten, perhaps.  If you are in … Continue reading

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Why Should You Teach?

Why is it important for new pilots to teach younger pilots?  Many young pilots question why they should teach others how to fly.  For whatever reason, they fail to understand the concept that in teaching others, what you are really … Continue reading

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