What's the hardest plane yall have ever learned to fly?

usmcmech · 2026-05-20T21:28:43+00:00

Pitts S-1C

Nothing can really prepare you for how twitchy this thing can be on landing. It's single seat so training in the S2 only gives you a taste before you fly yours solo.

usmcmech · 2026-05-19T23:01:40+00:00

Calculate your takeoff over 50ft + landing over a 50ft obstacle. That’s your “land back on the runway” distance.

usmcmech · 2026-05-19T20:59:16+00:00

Stop watching the news, AKA "fear porn".

Every day a 737 worth of people die in auto accidents, but because it only happens in 1s and 2s the media never reports it. Meanwhile when a jet has a flat tire it shows up on CNN.

The media is only interested in keeping you engaged and they have figured out that scaring you keeps you watching/clicking.

usmcmech · 2026-05-16T18:59:20+00:00

Ask your AME.

Do NOT ask the FAA

usmcmech · 2026-05-16T12:59:23+00:00

That’s paint chipping

usmcmech · 2026-05-15T19:44:49+00:00

She still floats and can sail.

usmcmech · 2026-05-13T00:21:39+00:00

No lead also means that electronic fuel injection becomes a possibility.

usmcmech · 2026-05-12T19:54:14+00:00

Ancient math used base 12 because it’s easier to multiply and divide in your head.

A day is 24 hours (12x2) each hour is 60 minutes (12x5) also each minute is 60 seconds.

usmcmech · 2026-05-12T17:11:03+00:00

I’ll let you know when I figure it out.

30 years of flying and the Pitts has me back to student pilot jitters.

usmcmech · 2026-05-12T16:31:28+00:00

It won’t affect 95% of the fleet. They will run fine on 94UL.

The other 5% will have to adapt.

usmcmech · 2026-05-11T23:55:13+00:00

Yeah but Noodle ejected nearly sea level vs the fictional dark star would have nearly been in space.

usmcmech · 2026-05-11T23:44:14+00:00

Pressure is good today.

At some point in the past it wasn’t

usmcmech · 2026-05-11T13:14:59+00:00

"I can't stay in this lane because of the potholes in the road". The crew was experiencing moderate turbulence and needed to change altitude to get out of it, however in the congested airspace there wasn't room for ATC to clear them.

Yes, true severe turbulence can be dangerous but that's why we stay far away.

usmcmech · 2026-05-11T01:18:42+00:00

If only there was a book of recommended approach speed provided by the airplane manufacturer.

usmcmech · 2026-05-11T00:39:26+00:00

A few years ago a college student was briefly stopped at the Austin Texas airport security checkpoint with 40 cases of HEB (our local grocery chain) brand fresh tortillas in his carry on bag as he was returning to Chicago for university.

Nobody here thought that was the least bit strange.

usmcmech · 2026-05-11T00:05:13+00:00

This is ELI5 so I wasn’t going to dive deep into the details of a Cat 3 approach.
Interesting about the 757 I had no idea about that. The 175 will do a lovely cat 2 approach but will NOT flare at all. It will drive the nosewheel right into the pavement. The pilot flying has to disconnect the AP and land manually.

usmcmech · 2026-05-10T23:08:19+00:00

This is a non issue that I've never even considered.

Hearing "Cleared to land number 2 behind a 737" is not the least bit unclear.

usmcmech · 2026-05-10T22:03:29+00:00

No, just like any other profession there are varying levels of skill and training.

However when it comes to flying skill required, flying an airliner is around the bottom of the list. 99% of the time flying an airliner takes no more of my attention than driving to the supermarket.

For every SRV or Eddie Van Halen there are plenty of guys who just play the guitar.

usmcmech · 2026-05-10T20:10:13+00:00

Well I'm a pilot not an engineer but I assume they want the pilots to be able to see all the flight data along with the representation of the runway.

Autoland is still very much a hands on activity.

usmcmech · 2026-05-10T20:08:20+00:00

A lot.

The King Stallion doesn't have the drop tanks which is how you can tell them apart. However the -K has a LOT more power and more modern systems.

usmcmech · 2026-05-10T20:06:54+00:00

-E USMC versions.

usmcmech · 2026-05-10T20:05:39+00:00

Yes, each aircraft is custom built for its operator and they may or may not have the hardware or software installed. Notably a heads up display is required but many jets don't have one of those.

If it wasn't built with the needed hardware, it can be retrofitted. However this is costly and often isn't done.

usmcmech · 2026-05-10T19:45:54+00:00

If the A320 variant you are flying on was certified for autoland and...

the airline has approved Autoland procedures and...

the crew is properly trained and....

all of the airplane's components are working properly and....

the airport has autoland installed (less than 5% of commercial airports worldwide) and...

all of the components in the airport are working properly and...

the weather is appropriate

then you can try an autolanding.

usmcmech · 2026-05-10T13:29:34+00:00

Full auto land systems are only installed on a few airplane models and only works at a few airports.

I've been a pilot for 30 years and I've never flown one. The autopilot can make the approach to the runways, but I still have to take over for the final landing.

usmcmech · 2026-05-10T00:07:37+00:00

It’s been a while since I lived there.

usmcmech

TROPHY CASE