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In order to sustain an aircraft in flight, a pilot must understand how thrust, drag, lift, and weight act on the aircraft. By understanding the aerodynamics of flight, how design, weight, load factors, and gravity affect an aircraft during flight maneuvers from stalls to high speed flight, the pilot learns how to control the balance between these forces. For information on stall speeds, load factors, and other important aircraft data, always consult the AFM/POH for specific information pertaining to the aircraft being flown.
Posts
- Forces Acting on the Aircraft – Thrust
- Forces Acting on the Aircraft – Lift
- Forces Acting on the Aircraft – Drag
- Forces Acting on the Aircraft – Weight
- Wingtip Vortices
- Ground Effect
- Axes of an Aircraft
- Moment and Moment Arm
- Aircraft Design Characteristics (Part One)
- Aircraft Design Characteristics (Part Two)
- Effect of Wing Planform
- Aerodynamic Forces in Flight Maneuvers (Part One)
- Aerodynamic Forces in Flight Maneuvers (Part Two)
- Stalls
- Angle of Attack Indicators
- Basic Propeller Principles (Part One)
- Basic Propeller Principles (Part Two)
- Load Factors (Part One)
- Load Factors (Part Two)
- Load Factors (Part Three)
- Load Factors (Part Four)
- Aircraft Weight and Balance (Part One)
- Aircraft Weight and Balance (Part Two)
- High Speed Flight (Part One)
- High Speed Flight (Part Two) Boundary Layer and Shock Waves
- High Speed Flight (Part Three) Sweepback and Mach Buffet Boundaries
- High Speed Flight (Part Four) High Speed Flight Controls
Flight Literacy Recommends
William Kershner's Student Pilot's Flight Manual - A ground school textbook, maneuvers manual, and syllabus, all rolled into one. This manual includes detailed references to maneuvers and procedures, and is fully illustrated with the author’s own drawings. It's a must-have for all student pilots and flight instructors. This manual covers all you need to know for your first flight, presolo, the post-solo maneuvers, cross-country and night flying.