IX.G.

Slow Flight
REF:
1. AC 60-14 (Aviation Instructor Handbook)
2. AC 61-21 (Flight Training Handbook) pg. 149
2. FAA-S-8081-1 (Private Pilot Practical Test Standards) pg. 1-21
4. FAA-S-8081-2 (Commercial Pilot Practical Test Standards) pg. 1-25/2-23
5. Pilot's Operating Handbook
6. FAA-Approved Airplane Flight Manual

Objective To develop the SP’s sense of feel and ability to use the controls and trim
devices correctly while performing maneuvers that require slower
airspeeds

Elements 1. Flight Characteristics and Controllability

2. Normal Flight Maneuvers Simulated
3. Procedure
4. Specified Airspeed
5. Coordination of Flight Controls
6. Trim Technique
7. Recovery to Cruise Flight

Schedule 1. Discuss Objectives 03

2. Review Material 02
3. Development 20
4. Conclusion 05

Equipment 1. White Board / Markers

2. Model Airplane
3. Aviation Instructor Handbook
4. Flight Training Handbook
5. Private Pilot Practical Test Standards
6. Commercial Pilot Practical Test Standards
7. Pilot's Operating Handbook

IP’s Actions 1. Discuss lesson objectives

2. Present Lecture
3. Ask and Answer Questions

SP’s Actions 1. Participate in discussion

2. Take notes
3. Ask and respond to questions

Completion 1. This lesson will be complete when the student demonstrates an

Standards understanding of the elements related to SLOW FLIGHT

IX.G. Slow Flight

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INTRODUCTION:

WHAT? - Slow Flight is any airspeed that is less than cruise airspeed.

WHY? - This maneuver demonstrates the flight characteristics and degree of controllability of an
airplane at less than cruise speed.

The objective of maneuvering at minimum controllable airspeed is to develop the pilot’s sense of feel
and ability to use the controls correctly, and to improve proficiency in doing maneuvers where very low
airspeeds are required. You also need to know how the control responses are different at different
airspeeds. This is very important to a pilot.

We develop this awareness to avoid stalls at slower speeds used for:

1. Takeoff
2. Climbs
3. Landing approaches.

OVERVIEW - This lesson will cover the basic elements pertaining to Slow Flight, including:
1. Flight Characteristics and Controllability
2. Normal Flight Maneuvers Simulated
3. Procedure
4. Specified Airspeed
5. Coordination of Flight Controls
6. Trim Technique
7. Recovery to Cruise Flight

DEVELOPMENT:

HOW ?

1. Flight Characteristics and Controllability

A. Configuration
1. Clean: Gear and Flaps UP
2. Dirty: Gear and Flaps DOWN
a. Flaps: Flaps will:
-increase lift
-lower the nose
-lower Vs1
**Caution: When retracting Flaps, enough lift may be lost to induce a stall**
b. Landing Gear:
-Not applicable to Cadet
-Used for "Dirty" Slow Flight
B. Weight
1. Weight affects Vs1, however Vs1 is calculated at Max Gross Weight
a. Heavier plane Stalls at higher airspeed
-therefore, below max weight provides safety margin
C. Center of Gravity
1. COG affects Elevator effectiveness
a. Rearward CG = tendency to stall
b. Forward CG = reluctance to stall
D. Maneuvering Loads
1. Loads caused by Steep Turns, Pull-ups or other changes in Flight Path
2. Creates an accelerated Stall
a. Not airspeed dependent
b. Caused by excessive Loads on Wings
3. Factors
IX.G. Slow Flight
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 a. Airspeed
b. Gross Weight
c. Load Factor (Load Supported divided by Gross Weight)
E. Angle of Bank
1. As bank angle steepens, LOAD FACTOR INCREASES
a. 60deg = 2G's
F. Power
1. Slow Flight is "Region of Reverse Command"
a. Decrease of Speed requires increase of Power
2. Normal Flight Maneuvers Simulated
A. Slow Flight is designed to Simulate
1. Take Off
2. Climb
3. Landing Approaches
4. Go-Around
a. Particular importance should be applied Due to High work load
and ground proximity
3. Procedure
A. Flight Safety Procedure for Slow Flight
1. Power to 1500 RPM
2. Allow Airspeed to reduce while holding Altitude
3. Establish Configuration (Clean or Dirty)
a. Below 103 KIAS Lower flaps
4. At 60 KIAS, Set Required Power
a. Clean: 1700 RPM
b. Dirty: 2000 RPM
5. Turns, Climbs, and Descents my be practiced in this configuration
6. Recover to normal cruise (use full power) while maintaining altitude
B. Continually Scan Outside and Inside (Airspeed, Altitude, Attitude...)

4. Specified Airspeed
A. Slow Flight Training Airspeed: 1.2 Vs1 +5 kts
1. or....in a Cadet:
a. No Flaps: 50KIAS
b. Full Flaps: 44KIAS
2. 50 X 1.2 + 5 = 65 KIAS
3. 44 X 1.2 + 5 = 57.8 KIAS
4. So we use 60 KIAS
a. +5 is for Safety
b. Figures are for Max Gross Weight

5. Coordination of Flight Controls

A. Power: Controls Altitude
B. Pitch:Controls Airspeed
C. Rudder:Controls Coordination
6. Trim Technique
A. Trim is used same
B. Trim frequently to relieve pressures
C. Trim to Relieve NOT to Control

7. Recovery to Cruise Flight

A. Add full power while holding altitude
B. Raise flaps in 10 deg. Increments as speed rises
C. Retrim as necessary
D. Remain coordinated

Common errors:
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1. Improper entry technique:
A. Difficulty in transition from cruise flight to slow flight.
B. Not increasing backpressure as power is reduced.
C. Increasing backpressure as power is needed.
D. As airspeed slows, failure to apply pitch and power to control airspeed and altitude
2. Failure to establish and maintain the specified airspeed. Not applying correct pitch and power setting
as required. Airspeed is usually too high.
3. Excessive variations in altitude, heading and bank:
4. Not dividing attention as necessary.
5. Not cross-checking instruments and applying necessary control application.
6. Rough or uncoordinated control technique.
7. Not recognizing and compensation for torque effect.
8. Over controlling the aircraft.
9. Faulty trim technique. Not trimming aircraft as necessary.
10. Unintentional stall (44kts at gross weight)
11. Not recognizing imminent stall conditions.
12. Over controlling the aircraft resulting in a stall
13. Inappropriate removal of hand from throttle. Not keeping hand on throttle during maneuver.
14. Not watching for traffic in the area.

CONCLUSION

Overview:
Discuss Elements

PTS:
Private:
1. Above 1500' AGL
2. Airspeed (1.2 Vs1) +10/-5Kts
3. Altitude +/- 100'
4. Heading +/- 10 deg.
5. Bank angle +0 / -10 deg
Commercial:
1. Above 1500' AGL
2. Airspeed (1.2 Vs1) +/-5Kts
3. Altitude +/- 50'
4. Heading +/- 10 deg.
5. Bank angle +0 / -10 deg

IX.G. Slow Flight

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