Turning Down Wind? Don't Lose the Axis!

Abstract

Discussions have continued in the aviation press over the past 24 years between pilots as to whether or not there is a thing called the "Downwind Turn Phenomenon." Opponents to the theory (principally airline pilots) say, "If you fly Needle, Ball, and Airspeed, you will never get yourself in trouble!" They are, of course, right - IF the aircraft is flown in this manner. Proponents say that no, "When I fly my crop-duster to a visual ground reference it IS different turning downwind than when turning into the wind!" Every article of the opponents elicits about six letters to the editor from crop-duster pilots restating their position and beliefs. The logic of their arguments has not convinced a single one of the airline pilots. Truth of the matter, though, is that the crop-duster pilots are also RIGHT. This is an emotionally charged issue for the pilots on both sides (e.g., How dare you tell me how I fly my aircraft!!!). In the meantime, we continue to wreck aircraft, which is why I continue to try and explain this problem.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 19, 1999
Accession Number
ADA368602

Entities

People

  • Herman G. Kolwey

Organizations

  • Naval Air Warfare Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Masses
  • Aircrafts
  • Airspeed
  • Airspeed Indicators
  • Birds
  • Engineering
  • Flight
  • Flight Instruments
  • Flight Paths
  • Flight Recorders
  • Flight Speeds
  • Flight Testing
  • Flight Training
  • Mathematics
  • Pilots
  • Test Methods
  • Vehicles

Readers

  • Aviation Science / Aeronautics.
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Strategic Security Studies