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Video Tip: How to Handle Crosswinds During Takeoff

When planning for takeoff, it's best to choose a runway at the departure airport that is most aligned with the wind. Unfortunately, the winds rarely blow right down the runway, so you must learn how to accomplish takeoffs and landings under crosswind conditions. This week's tip looks at the control inputs required and performance implications when performing a crosswind takeoff.

Quiz: Wake Turbulence Avoidance

Wake turbulence is an invisible hazard that presents an additional challenge for pilots operating light airplanes out of busy airports. Take our latest quiz and test your knowledge of proper avoidance techniques.

Webinar: Choosing the Right Handheld Aviation Radio

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Join Sporty’s radio expert Doug Ranly for  his presentation, Aviation Radios—Choosing the Right Handheld. Doug explains which features matter most when choosing a portable aviation radio, review the latest options from Icom, Yaesu, and Sporty’s, and share tips for getting the most out of a handheld in real-world flying.

How to Identify Airport Runways and Traffic Patterns

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A standard traffic pattern is normally flown when setting up to approach and land at an airport. In this video, we'll take a look at the standard ways to both enter and depart a traffic pattern, as well as look at how runways are identified based on their location and orientation.

Pilot’s Guide to Class E Airspace

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You’ll encounter Class E airspace on nearly every flight during your training, but unlike the clearly defined boundaries of Class B, C, or D airspace, Class E can feel invisible on a sectional chart, which sometimes leaves student pilots scratching their heads.

Video Tip: Flying Airplanes With Retractable Landing Gear

Many high-performance airplanes feature retractable landing gear, which lets them fly faster by reducing drag (and they look cool, too). Transitioning to this type of airplane introduces new operational considerations, including the best time to raise the gear after takeoff and lower it before landing.

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