How much can the wing carry? What we are looking at here is a graph of the load (G loading or G-forces) felt on the aircraft itself (and also felt by you, the pilot) when making LEVEL turns (level turns being holding a constant altitude and not climbing or descending, as we talk about being… Continue reading Load Factor
Topic Category: Private Pilot
Steep Turns
How to turn the Airplane: While making turns in the airplane may seem simple, making coordinated, level turns and rolling out specifically where you want the aircraft to point does take some skill and practice. In this topic we’ll cover the fundamentals of being able to turn the airplane to a specific heading while also… Continue reading Steep Turns
The Traffic Pattern
Flying the Traffic Pattern: In this topic, we’ll cover the standard airport traffic pattern, how to stay in the airport traffic pattern without going out to the practice area, as well as how to re-enter the traffic pattern when returning from the practice area or coming back from another airport. First watch the video above,… Continue reading The Traffic Pattern
The Power Curve
It’s all about the POWER: Of course big powerful airplanes are cool, but in reality most of the training aircraft we fly have relatively little power with max horsepower ratings somewhere between 100-180hp. Since this isn’t enough power to make the airplane climb vertically like a fighter jet, we need to think about how best… Continue reading The Power Curve
Radio Calls at Non-Towered Airports
How to Talk on the Radio: In this topic, we are going to cover primarily how to talk on the radio at a non-towered airport, although much of the basic phraseology is interchangeable between talking to ATC and simply “self-announcing”. Watch the video above for examples of calls to make in the traffic pattern at… Continue reading Radio Calls at Non-Towered Airports
Airport Markings and Signs
Watch the video first, then read below to enhance your knowledge, feel free to re-watch the video as many times as you’d like. Because this is such a big topic, and essential for maintaining safe separation between aircraft on the surface and keeping you from taxiing into a place you don’t want to be, there… Continue reading Airport Markings and Signs
Slow Flight
Flying Slow: During slow flight you will develop the skills to fly the airplane at slow speeds, similar to the speeds during the most critical phases of flight, takeoff, and landing. Pay particularly close attention to keeping the airplane “coordinated” or, in other words, keep it flying straight and compensate for the left turning tendencies… Continue reading Slow Flight
Left Turning Tendencies
Why the Plane Always Wants to Go Left: So there are a couple reasons why propeller driven aircraft always seem to want to turn left (and it pretty much is all totally due to the rotation of the propeller and the power from the engine). Specifically, there are four main left turning tendencies, and we’ll… Continue reading Left Turning Tendencies
How to do a Normal Takeoff
How to Takeoff: In the video above, we’ll walk you through the steps of a Normal Takeoff. This is the procedure for taking off when there is not much of a crosswind, and you are on a nice long, smooth, paved runway. Remember: Look outside over the nose all the way down the runway. Control… Continue reading How to do a Normal Takeoff
What To Expect On Your First Flight
What you can expect on your first flight lesson: Now for the exciting part. How do you actually fly the plane and what exactly are you going to be able to do the first time you hop in the airplane? Well, in all honesty, the farther you’ve made it through this course before hopping in… Continue reading What To Expect On Your First Flight