A PLACE TO VISIT THIS XMAS

Charlotte, North Carolina boasts some very significant statistics. It is the largest city in the entire state of North Carolina and also the 20th largest city in the entire United States. Charlotte's name is steeped in history due to the fact that it got its namesake from Queen Charlotte, who was a wife of King George the third in England. The name "Charlotte Hornets" was given to the NBA team that resided in Charlotte, which also has a historical significance.

During the Revolutionary War, British invaders of Charlotte were driven out by the fierceness of the city's residents. General Cornwallis, a prominent revolutionary figure, called the city "a hornet's nest of rebellion", which resulted in the moniker of the popular basketball team. In 2002, the Hornets were moved to New Orleans, and a new team was forged for Charlotte.

Dubbed the Charlotte Bobcats, tourists can catch them playing a game at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena, built in fall of 2005. Charlotte is also a football fan's delight. The Carolina Panthers are based in Charlotte, and games can be attended at the city's Bank of America stadium.

Charlotte offers extensive accommodations for those who would vacation there. Quaint bed & breakfasts can be found throughout the city, as well as world-class hotels for those who wish to have an elegant experience in the city. One unique thing to do on a trip to Charlotte would be to visit the Mint Museums. There are two: the Mint Museum of Art and the Mint Museum of Craft & Design.

These two attractions feature a range of fine art, giving visitors a unique chance to view some truly classic works. Visitors also often delight over simply walking around Charlotte's historic Fourth Ward district, which features unique architectural works such as "Grand Old Ladies", a type of home that was predominantly built in the 1800s. Downtown Charlotte has everything a bustling city needs: by simply walking the streets, you can see how wonderfully Charlotte is managed.

It is a very clean city with beautiful, towering buildings and numerous outdoor cafes due to the great weather that Charlotte features. The financial district is also of note to those who would like to explore the city; Charlotte's history is steeped in finance, and to this day its influences can be seen. Southern hospitality is definitely in full swing in this city, and there are plenty of things to keep you busy. I highly recommend that everyone should visit Charlotte at least once in their lives.

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A pilot's best friend: The art of trimming

Are you a pilot and seek the secret to a smooth, easy flight?

If you are forever wrestling with the controls and you have aching arms when you land, you are not using the pilot's best friend - the trim wheel.

Trimming the controls allow a pilot to balance the lift and drag being produced by the wings and control surfaces over a wide range of loads and air speeds, reducing the effort required to adjust or maintain a desired flight attitude.

A properly-trimmed aircraft can be flown literally with your fingers lightly on the controls. Get into the habit of trimming every time you change attitude or power settings, first letting the aircraft stabilize into the desired attitude.

Use small corrections and take the time to trim correctly – the aircraft will naturally want to stay in equilibrium whether in straight-and-level flight or in a constant ascent or descent.

If you can take your hands off the controls and the aircraft stays in the same attitude, it is trimmed correctly.

The most common example of a trim tab is the elevator trim found in almost all aircraft. The elevator trim tab is adjusted to maintain the angle of attack without pilot interaction.

A properly-trimmed aircraft increases fuel efficiency by reducing drag. A climbing aircraft has a tendency to yaw which increases parasitic drag because more of the fuselage is facing into the wind.

Elevator trim balances the control force necessary to maintain the aerodynamic down force on the tail. Certain flight configurations, such as slow flight, require a lot of trim to maintain the desired angle of attack.

Trimming increases aircraft stability as a properly-trimmed aircraft will return to the same attitude and airspeed after encountering any disturbances such as turbulence or gusts of wind.

There is also trim for the rudder and ailerons used to counter slipstream or the effects of the cent re of gravity being to one side.
This can be caused by a larger weight on one side of the aircraft compared to the other, such as when one fuel tank has a more fuel in it than the other or when there are heavier people on one side of the aircraft.

Aileron trim is found mostly on large fixed-wing aircraft.

If the aircraft has a rudder trim wheel, use it - it's a lot easier than flying with one foot on a rudder pedal to cent re the ball.

Take the time to learn the skills of correct trimming and you will be surprised at just how easy a properly-trimmed aircraft is to fly.