Category Archives: Aerodynamics

Flight sans wing

Posted on November 4, 2011 by Dave C

HAFC member Mike Gilb tipped me off to this story of an F-15 losing a wing in a training accident, and still making it back to base. You can find the five minute video here.

Posted in Aerodynamics, Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

Training Video – Circa 1968

Posted on October 23, 2011 by Dave C

As relevant today as it was more than forty years ago: Hat tip: UCAP Blog

Posted in Aerodynamics, GA | Leave a comment

The Importance of a Trim Tab

Posted on September 21, 2011 by Dave C

Much of the national media – not to mention the aviation media – has been focused on the tragedy at the Reno air races last weekend. The focus of the investigation appears to be around the trim tab and its … Continue reading →

Posted in Aerodynamics | Leave a comment

Quick stop in an A380

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Dave C

The Smithsonian Air & Space blog has an interesting entry on all of the engineering that took place to ensure the mammoth A380 could stop in an emergency. “With the Airbus A380 weighing in fully loaded at 1,265,000 pounds, you … Continue reading →

Posted in Aerodynamics, Aircraft | Leave a comment

Empennage: Difference in the Details

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Dave C

The two most popular aircraft in our flight club are a Cessna 172N and a Piper Cherokee 140. There are big differences in these two trainers. The biggest difference, of course, is that the 172 is a high-wing aircraft while … Continue reading →

Posted in Aerodynamics, Aircraft, Training | Leave a comment

Density Altitude – Redux

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Dave C

Last week, I did a post on density altitude and pointed to some important things to consider. You can read it here. Then this week, I came across this video. Hat tip to both Flight Monkeys and Uncontrolled Airspace for … Continue reading →

Posted in Aerodynamics, Procedures | Leave a comment

Density Altitude – Not Only for Mountain Flying

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Dave C

It’s going to be brutally hot this weekend. Besides trying to get as much height as possible to cool down, those flying also have to factor density altitude into flight planning. AOPA has a great refresher course: “Throughout a pilot’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Aerodynamics, Aircraft, Procedures, Training, Wx | Leave a comment

Aerodynamics – ASI Webinar

Posted on June 16, 2011 by Dave C

The Air Safety Institute is offering two free webinars focusing on advanced aerodynamics. Both happen next Monday, June 20th at 2pm and 7pm CDT. To sign up visit the website here.

Posted in Aerodynamics, Events, Training | Leave a comment

Taking on “The Impossible Turn”

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Dave C

Very early in flight training, student pilots learn to land straight ahead if the engine fails shortly after take-off. It has been preached by legions of Flight Instructors. Trying to make it back to the airport is simply considered, “The … Continue reading →

Posted in Aerodynamics, Procedures, Training | Leave a comment

Switching Aircraft? Consider wing loading.

Posted on May 1, 2011 by Dave C

If you’re new to the make and model of airplane you’re flying, one thing that you should consider is wing loading. I received my first certificate in an Evektor SportStar, a light sport aircraft.  Now that I’m switching primarily to … Continue reading →

Posted in Aerodynamics, Procedures | Leave a comment