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Category Archives: Aircraft Performance

CFI Brief: Pressure Altitude Conversions

December 7, 2017 – 12:45 pm

Pressure altitude is the height above the standard datum plane (SDP). The aircraft altimeter is essentially a sensitive barometer calibrated to indicate altitude in the standard atmosphere. If the altimeter is set for 29.92 “Hg SDP, the altitude indicated is the pressure altitude—the altitude in the standard atmosphere corresponding to the sensed pressure. The SDP […]

By CFI | Also posted in CFI Briefing, Ground School | Comments (0)

Aircraft Performance: Runway Surface and Gradient

November 6, 2017 – 10:00 am

Today’s post comes from the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25B), which is now available as an eBook from ASA, iTunes, and Kindle. Runway conditions affect takeoff and landing performance. Typically, performance chart information assumes paved, level, smooth, and dry runway surfaces. Since no two runways are alike, the runway surface differs from one runway […]

By ASA | Also posted in Ground School | Comments (0)

Aerodynamics: Descent and Gliding Flight

September 14, 2017 – 10:03 am

Our CFI is out enjoying the Reno Air Races this week, so today we’ll share a follow up to Monday’s post with another excerpt from Aerodynamics for Aviators. Descending a light propeller-driven general aviation aircraft is a fairly simple task. Reduce power to a point where there is more power required than power available, and […]

By ASA | Also posted in Aerodynamics, Ground School | Comments (0)

Aerodynamics: Cruise Flight

September 11, 2017 – 9:23 am

Cruise flight centers on two basic principles: how far we can fly, and for how long. How far we can fly is defined as the aircraft’s range. How long we can fly is defined as endurance. Today’s post is an excerpt from our textbook Aerodynamics for Aviators. When flying, we generally consider range in two […]

By ASA | Also posted in Aerodynamics, Ground School | Comments (0)

Aircraft Performance: Changing Airspeed in Straight-and-Level Flight

August 28, 2017 – 8:40 am

Normal cruise involves setting cruise power, holding cruise altitude, and accepting the airspeed that is achieved, which should be close to the figure published in your Pilot’s Operating Handbook. On occasions, however, there is a need to fly at other than normal cruise airspeed. Today, we’ll discuss the basics of changing speeds in straight-and-level flight […]

By ASA | Also posted in General, Ground School, IFR | Comments (0)

Ground School: Preflight Inspection

June 5, 2017 – 8:37 am

The success of a flight depends largely on thorough preparation. In the course of your training, a pattern of regular preflight actions should be developed to ensure that this is the case. This includes planning the flight, and checking the airplane. These preflight actions must be based on the checks found in the pilot’s operating […]

By ASA | Also posted in Ground School, Procedures and Airport Operations, Regulations | Comments (0)

Aerodynamics: Power

May 22, 2017 – 8:39 am

Today’s post is excerpted from the second edition of our textbook Aerodynamics for Aviators. This book features extensive illustrations and covers everything from the fundamentals of flight to high-speed flight, and includes an excellent compendium of formulae and equations used at all levels of aviation. Aircraft aerodynamics involves the interaction of the four forces: lift, […]

By ASA | Also posted in Aerodynamics, Ground School | Comments (0)

Aerodynamics: The Spin

March 13, 2017 – 9:16 am

Today on LTFB, we’re featuring an excerpt from The Pilot’s Manual: Ground School (PM-2C) on spins. A spin is a condition of stalled flight in which the airplane follows a spiral descent path. As well as the airplane being in a stalled condition, and yawing, one wing is producing more lift than the other, which […]

By ASA | Also posted in Aerodynamics, Ground School | Comments (0)

CFI Brief: Frost

December 8, 2016 – 10:16 am

It’s been cold here in Seattle and across many parts of the country over the last several days. All week long I have had the pleasure of scraping an inch of ice and frost off my windshield each morning. If my car’s windshield is icing over, the same can probably be said for all the […]

By CFI | Also posted in CFI Briefing, Weather | Comments (0)

Aircraft Performance: Air Density

November 7, 2016 – 10:56 am

Takeoff and landing are perhaps two of the most labor intensive tasks involved in piloting an airplane, and they start long before the wheels leave the ground. Takeoffs involve much more than smooth piloting skills; they involve careful planning and preparation. A very smooth takeoff is of little value if the airplane, once airborne, is […]

By ASA | Also posted in Ground School | Comments (0)
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