Aerodynamics AOA

Video tip: What does angle of attack really mean?

You’ve probably heard that “you can stall an airplane at any airspeed and any attitude.” It’s true, but it sure doesn’t make much sense. In our latest video tip of the week, we tackle angle of attack, a critically important but often misunderstood topic. You’ll learn what it really means, how to visualize it in flight and what the new generation of AoA gauges shows.

Video tip: accelerated stalls

Stalls seem pretty straightforward for most pilots, but stalls during a turn can seem quite different. In our latest quick tip, we look at these accelerated stalls. You'll learn why it's called an accelerated stall, how to prevent one, and why load factor is so important.

Video tip: iPads in the cockpit

Paper charts are now a distant memory for many pilots today as digital charts on the iPad have become the preferred method to view aviation data. This week's tip takes a look at the regulations surrounding the use of the iPad in the cockpit and how it should be used along with the traditional methods of preflight planning and navigation during your flight training.

Video Tip: Runway safety for pilots

Aviation safety isn't just about flying. Getting around on the ground is a critical skill for pilots of any level - in fact, the most deadly aviation accident in history involved a runway incursion. In this week's tip, we share some helpful tips for understanding airport signs, asking ATC for help and using apps to prevent mistakes.

Video tip: Understanding Pilot Reports (PIREPs)

Understanding certain critical weather information only available…

Video tip: how to recover from unusual flight attitudes

There are 2 unusual attitude maneuvers you'll practice during your private pilot training, simulating the scenario of inadvertently flying into IFR conditions and ending up in a nose low descending or nose high climbing pitch attitude. This week's tip shows how to recognize either condition and use the flight instruments to recover to straight and level flight.

Video tip: it’s all about airspeed

Nearly every airplane has an airspeed indicator and it's arguably the most important flight instrument in the panel. This week's tip takes a look at how it works, the various types of airspeeds you need to be familiar with as a pilot and what the markings mean on the face of the instrument.

Video tip: S-turns across a road

During your flight training you'll practice several different types of ground reference maneuvers to help you understand the effect wind has on the airplane when flying close to the ground. Here we'll take a look at s-turns across a road, giving you a pilot's eye view on how to correctly fly the maneuver.

Video tip: How pilots and ATC benefit from ADS-B

The Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B for short) is designed to replace the ground-based radar system used by ATC to track air traffic throughout the US. This week's tip explains how the ADS-B system works and how you can also benefit from in-flight traffic and weather services offered by the system.

Video tip: get to know your altimeter

The altimeter is a flight instrument that provides accurate altitude information to pilots and relies solely on outside air pressure. This week's tip explores how the altimeter works, the various types of altitudes you need to know about and potential errors you may encounter while referencing the altimeter.