“Coffin Corner” – Aerodynamic Ceiling Explained
An interesting occurrence, related to Mach number, occurs at high altitudes in the troposphere, called ‘coffin corner’. If you are having visions of some deadly myth as scary as flying into the Bermuda triangle, fear not…
Biplanes – Two wings double the lift?
Biplanes, or aeroplanes with two wings, one on top of the other, were popular in the World War One era. Many of these designs are still functioning today, but what makes this design so unique? There are a number of variations in Biplane design, such as staggered...
How does the mixture control work?
In a piston engine aircraft, the mixture control lever is the red one. Red, because it is really important for healthy engine operation. So what exactly does the mixture control lever do?
What is the difference between absolute and service ceiling?
Ceiling applies to how high an aircraft can climb, but this is further divided into an absolute ceiling, and a service ceiling. Let’s have a look at the difference and what they mean…
What is ISA temperature deviation, and why should you calculate it?
Let’s start with a brain jiggle – if the actual outside air temperature (OAT) differs from the ISA for the particular altitude or flight level that you are at, then this will affect your aircraft’s performance…
When to use Carb Heat?
If you have ever felt a little confused as to how carb heat works, and when exactly to use it, you are not alone…
What is your Endurance?
Ever had a conversation with Air Traffic Control and they have asked you ‘What is your endurance? Usually the answer is a thumb suck in anticipation of a clearance to come in and land, but have you ever wondered what exactly endurance means, and how you can work it out?
How can a power-on stall occur?
The airspeed bleeds off and you feel a buffet, or the stall warning bleats and flashes desperately at you. Of course, you recover like a pro with a super co-ordinated release of back pressure and smooth input of power. But have you ever considered a stall with the power on?
How to use rudder for a perfectly coordinated turn
The remedy for adverse yaw is to be found in the rudder pedals, and in combination with the ailerons is termed a ‘coordinated turn’. What this means is simply the coordination of aileron and rudder, in order to balance the turn. But how does one achieve this?
What is the difference between Cloud Base and Ceiling?
it is important to understand the requirements, with regards to distance from clouds, not just to stay in the legal limits if you are VFR, but to ensure the safety of your flight. Understanding the difference between cloud base and cloud ceiling seems a challenge, but it actually isn’t!