SLOW FLIGHT

Description

Level flight, turns, climbs, and descents performed in various configurations at the minimum controllable airspeed.

Objective

To teach planning, orientation, division of attention and control feel during slow flight.

Setup

·         Clear the area

·         Choose forced landing area

·         Configure aircraft: ≥1500’ AGL, carburetor heat on, gear down, cowl flaps open, full flaps, power and pitch for 1.3 VSO (C172RG: 15” Hg, 2700 RPM, 55 KIAS)

·         Select outside references

·         Adjust pitch and power to maintain airspeed and altitude

·         Fly straight-and-level, coordinated standard rate turns, climbs and descents in slow flight

·         Maintain ball centered

·         Look for traffic

Recovery

·         Smoothly advance power to full

·         Carburetor heat off

·         Retract one notch of flaps (C172RG: 20°)

·         Upon positive rate of climb, retract second notch of flaps

·         Gear up

·         Flaps 0°

·         Cowl flaps closed

·         Look for traffic

 

Controllability and Maneuverability:

·         Flight controls are less effective due to reduced airflow; more control pressure is required

·         In the back side of the power curve: pitch for airspeed, power for altitude

·         Torque effect is very prominent

·         High gross weight and forward CG increase stall speed

·         Increase the bank angle, load factor and stall speed increase

Common Errors

·         Failure to establish specified gear and flap configuration

·         Improper entry technique

·         Failure to establish and maintain the specified airspeed

·         Excessive variations of altitude and heading when a constant altitude and heading are specified

·         Rough or uncoordinated control technique

·         Improper correction for torque effect

·         Improper trim technique

·         Unintentional stalls

·         Inappropriate removal of hand from throttles

References

FAA-H-8083-3A Airplane Flying Handbook p. 8-21

FAA-S-8081-6CS Flight Instructor for Airplane Single-Engine Land and Sea PTS p. 1-50