Aviation Questions And Comments

Referring to your September 2008 article, "Batteries Not Required"-a nice review of cross-country basics-I have a question and two comments. The question refers to the flight log: Why is "1.2" in the logs Time box when the block time was 1+35 or 1.6? One comment involves missing a possible teaching opportunity by not discussing MOAs, the planned route and altitude, and the floor of the Lemoore C MOA. The other comment involves the sidebar, "Lifts Horizontal Component," which discusses steep turns and includes a quote from an FAA publication on the need to create additional lift in a turn. You then add your conclusion that "Increasing angle of attack, of course, increases the stall speed." This is not the message I would want my students to gain from your article. Your statement is not true in the commonly practiced stall entries from 1G straight and level flight. There the increasing angle of attack doesnt "increase" stall speed. In truth, even in the situation under discussion-stalls while turning-it is the increased load factor that increases the stall speed. It can be argued that increasing angle of attack does often increase load factor (pull ups, turns, etc.) but wouldnt it be preferable to instead conclude that stall speed increases as a result of increasing load factor? That is a true statement always.

Editorial Staff

Thursday, September 25, 2008 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Readers offered technical clarifications and corrections, addressing a flight log error and correcting a statement to emphasize that increased stall speed in turns is due to increased load factor, not directly angle of attack.
One reader advocated for water as a viable and often preferable emergency landing site over hazardous terrain, providing extensive advice on ditching preparation to ensure a high survival rate.
The importance of deep owner involvement in maintaining older aircraft was highlighted, stressing that routine checks are insufficient and "catch-up" maintenance with frequent flying is essential for safety.

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Referring to your September 2008 article, “Batteries Not Required”-a nice review of cross-country basics-I have a question and two comments. The question refers to the flight log: Why is “1.2” in the logs Time box when the block time was 1+35 or 1.6?

One comment involves missing a possible teaching opportunity by not discussing MOAs, the planned route and altitude, and the floor of the Lemoore C MOA.

The other comment involves the sidebar, “Lifts Horizontal Component,” which discusses steep turns and includes a quote from an FAA publication on the need to create additional lift in a turn. You then add your conclusion that “Increasing angle of attack, of course, increases the stall speed.”

This is not the message I would want my students to gain from your article. Your statement is not true in the commonly practiced stall entries from 1G straight and level flight. There the increasing angle of attack doesnt “increase” stall speed.