Spinners just look cool. They give airplanes that sleek and aerodynamic “ready to take flight” look. And they are so pervasive in propeller-driven aircraft that we can scarcely imagine attaching a prop without that slick cone ahead of the nose. But spinners do more than look cool. They do cool.
All posts in Advanced Flying
How to Fly the B-17 Flying Fortress
“Maybe airplanes are a bit like people. You don’t really get to know them until after you’ve lived with them a while.” At least that’s what the narrator says in this 1943 Army Air Force training film. Even though this video and the associated technology is over 70 years old, a lot of the information is still relevant to pilots today. They stress the importance of checklist usage, reminders to trim the airplane and even crew resource management. I was amazed to hear the instructor hit on the hot-topic in today’s airline industry: “Flying means fatigue. Always run your checklist.”
The Seeds Of Disaster
“…it must have caught the prop when it came back up. We never looked at anything other than the wing tip, and seeing no damage, decided it was fine to continue the flight.”In flying one of the most critical things pilots seem to forget is that many accidents have the seeds of disaster planted before we ever get in the airplane. One incident in my early flying career clearly demonstrates this fact.
Inertia’s Surprising Effect on Wind Shear
Suppose you are the captain of a Boeing 747 or Airbus A380. You’ve just received a report of wind shear from the Cessna 152 you’re following on final. Should you expect less, similar, or more wind shear?
Before you answer, be sure to consider inertia.
Flying Photos
