Understanding aerodynamics and checkride tips, with Catherine Cavagnaro

Understanding aerodynamics and checkride tips, with Catherine Cavagnaro - Pilot's Discretion (ep 35)

Рет қаралды 9,201

Күн бұрын

All podcasts: www.sportys.com/podcast
Catherine Cavagnaro learned aerobatics from legendary instructor Bill Kershner and is a math professor on the side, which gives her a unique perspective on key topics in flight training. She explains what "the back side of the power curve" really means, why takeoffs are an overlooked risk for most pilots, and when you should use flaps on a power-off 180. She also shares her tips as a pilot examiner, including how to handle nerves and whether it's OK to admit "I don't know" on a checkride. In the Ready to Copy segment, Catherine explains the right way to use a sick sack, whether spins should be required for the Private Pilot test, and what geometric topology is.
SHOW LINKS:
Ace Aerobatic school: www.aceaerobaticschool.com
Catherine's articles for AOPA: www.aopa.org/news-and-media/a...
Sporty's Pilot Training app: www.sportys.com/sporty-s-pilo...

Пікірлер: 17

@scottmanley Жыл бұрын

Definitely my kind of guest, knowing the academic side of things has been hugely useful in understanding what I need to do and why. The hard part is making my hands and feet move the controls to do that…. 😂

@sportyspilotshop Жыл бұрын

Thanks for listening! Seems like you might be a great podcast guest too???

@catherinecavagnaro8 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for your kind words! I'm glad you enjoy the academic side of aviation too. Best, Catherine

@kasm10 Жыл бұрын

Outstanding interview! Thanks for taking the time to put this together.

@cyrouskhavari969 Жыл бұрын

What a great interview. Thank you. Too bad she is not in Colorado 😊 I would've love to had some one like her , when I was getting my ratings over 40 years ago. She is Gold !

@kevgardner8548 11 ай бұрын

Spin training comment, turns about a point commentary, spot on. You’ll cringe, but jokingly, I told my kids prior to and during training, know your 3 tables, you’ll fly ok during the balance of you career. So far so well. Worked for me for 20,000 hrs. Works for them. C150 to B777. Having said that, the lift equation should be understood by all. Value!

@hillcrestannie Жыл бұрын

I like your videos . Keep them coming. I’m not great at math but love math . I tell everyone that you can figure anything out with math!

@wyatt92563 Жыл бұрын

Same here. I really struggle with math. But I love aviation and seeing how math can make me a better pilot. I'm starting to embrace certain computations with an application to my aeronautical studies. Ok, my head hurts now 😆

@n0rg Жыл бұрын

Geometric topology and combinatorial group theory served as the basis for her thesis.

@drhullje Жыл бұрын

Ms. Cavagnaro. Thank you for your podcast. I have a question about your discussion of a gust of wind putting you above your glide slope on approach and trying to correct altitude with pitch alone. You say pitching down would increase altitude and I am trying to understand why, thinking that pitching down would increase speed and lose altitude? I am wondering if pitching down in this scenario increases thrust more than drag giving more speed and lift is improved by better performance of the airfoil? Seems like I missed something important.

@skyking1066 Жыл бұрын

When you are behind the power curve as during an approach, reducing angle of attack by pushing forward reduces total drag and allows the plane to accelerate. Because lift is proportional to TAS squared, you start to climb as you speed up.

@drhullje Жыл бұрын

@@skyking1066 Makes sense. Thought increase in velocity had to outweigh AOA. Thank for the clarification

@roginutah Жыл бұрын

@@skyking1066 ? Why do we all cruise at 75% power, when all we have to do is lower power and pitch down? Thereby gaining all the altitude and speed we want? Help me out here.

@roginutah Жыл бұрын

Kind of a mis-speak there. Surprised me, too. She gets to the explanation, but... Anyway, if you get that "free altitude" from the gust and you still want to land on your target, you need to reduce power AND lower the nose to maintain airspeed (maybe slip, too!). This will create a steeper angle of decent so you can still land. I think you knew that, though. There are very knowledgeable people in the world and very good teachers in the world. Occasionally it'll be the same person!

@catherinecavagnaro8 Жыл бұрын

Hi Jeffrey. If you fly at an airspeed below the best rate airspeed, Vy, then pushing the nose down to increase airspeed will result in a greater vertical speed. (See the shape of a vertical speed versus airspeed graph for a constant power setting in my article "Are We There Yet? Locating the Region of Reverse Command" in March 2022 AOPA Pilot Magazine, for example.) So this is opposite what we are used to on the front side of the power curve. I hope this helps! Best, Catherine