PRIVATE PILOT

LICENSE – BRIEFING
Slow Flight
Exercise 10B
By- Shifatur Rahman / 027 500 2988
 Aim
AIM 2. LONG BRIEFING
To enable the student to fly the aircraft at the lower speed range safely and i. Objectives:
accurately, and to control a. Aeroplane Handling Characteristics during Slow Flight at –
the aircraft in balance while returning to normal airspeeds. Vs1 & Vs0 + 10 knots;
DEFINITION Vs1 & Vs0 + 5 Knots;
Any speed below the normal operating range of the aircraft. b. Slow Flight During Instructor Induced distractions;
WHY IT IS BEING TAUGHT c. Effect of going around from an approach or landing in configurations where
To give the student a good understanding and thorough knowledge of the application
principles required to fly at of engine power causes a strong ‘nose-up’ movement requiring a large trim
the lower speed range of the aircraft at different attitude, trim and power settings change;
at various speeds and ii. Considerations:
configurations. a. The effect of controls during Slow Flight
The ailerons can be very ineffective at slow airspeeds. Furthermore, in a slow
airspeed/high angle-of-attack situation, adverse yaw (described in exercise 9) is
far
more pronounced, especially with large aileron deflections, i.e. when rolling into
or out
of a turn.
The rudder is also less effective at slow airspeed and coarser use of the rudder
pedals
may be necessary.
Morning Work
The elevator/stabilator is the most powerful of the three primary Raising and lowering of flap is another factor to
flying controls. As well
as controlling the attitude, the tail plane or stabilator provides consider more carefully during slow
stability in pitch. The flight. The change in drag (and therefore change in
elevator or stabilator is, of course, less effective at slow airspeeds. In airspeed) is more critical at these slower
addition the high
angle of attack of the wing can produce a considerable ‘downwash’ airspeeds. Do not raise the flaps if the airspeed is
over the tail, below Vs1 – the flaps-up
altering its angle of attack and therefore the lift force produced by the
tail plane. The stalling airspeed (i.e. the bottom of the green arc
effect of downwash is generally more noticeable on a high-wing on the ASI).
aircraft than a lowwing All control movements should be smooth and
aircraft.
The slipstream will alter the feel and effectiveness for the rudder and coordinated. Harsh and excessive
the control movements must be avoided.
elevator/stabilator (except on a ‘T’-tail aircraft where the elevator is
outside the
slipstream). At slow airspeeds the helix of the slipstream is much
tighter around the
fuselage and its effect more pronounced. Changes in power setting at
slow airspeeds
will have a more noticeable yawing effect, which the pilot will have to
anticipate and
correct.
Whole Group Lesson
b. Maneuvering in Slow Flight During a turn, the small loss of airspeed normally acceptable is no
During the flight at slow airspeed, maintaining the selected airspeed longer safe so, the
and balanced aircraft is pitched nose-down to maintain airspeed and power is added
flight are all-important. Any change in power setting will have a (during a level
pronounced yawing turn) to stop the aircraft descending. During slow flight, turns are
effect, which the pilot must anticipate and correct. Similarly, when normally made at no
turning the more than 30º angle of bank due to the increase in stalling speed as
increased adverse yaw needs to be compensated for by the pilot. angle of bank
We return to the maxim that Power + Attitude = Performance. To fly increases emphasize awareness and caution.
level, the required It is worth repeating that during all these maneuvers, keeping the
power is set and the attitude adjusted to attain the target airspeed. It aircraft in balance
may be using the rudder and maintenance of the selected airspeed through
necessary to make small adjustments to the power and attitude to attitude is allimportant.
stay level at the
selected airspeed. An excess of power will cause the aircraft to climb, c. Distractions During Slow Flight
while too little The danger of flying too slowly often manifests itself when the pilot is
power will cause the aircraft to descend. Attitude is controlling distracted from
airspeed; power is the primary task of flying the aircraft by some secondary factor (i.e.
controlling height/altitude. radio calls, talking
to passengers, map reading, positioning in the circuit etc.) The
instructor is to simulate
a number of distractions to demonstrate the importance of making
the actual flying of
the aircraft the Number One priority at all times
3. DESCRIPTION OF AIR EXERCISE

DEMONSTRATION OBSERVATION ii. Climbing Flight.

1. CONTROLLED FLIGHT AT LOW AIRSPEED i. From controlled straight and level flight Vs1 +
(DEMONSTRATION AT Vs1 + 10 KTS) 10 knots.
i. From straight and level flight. ii. Nominate a particular climb rate.
i. Maintain a lookout whilst reducing power and iii. Lookout.
maintaining altitude, heading and balance. iv. Gradually increase power whilst maintaining
ii. Re-trim in stages and when Vs1 + 10 knots is speed, heading and balance
established, adjust power as necessary to v. Stabilise the power setting when the selected
maintain airspeed and altitude. rate of climb has been achieved.
iii. Note the attitude and reduced response from
the flying controls. iii. Turning flight.
iv. Altitude loss is corrected by use of the i. From level slow flight at Vs1 + 10 knots,
elevators together with increasing the power. lookout and enter a medium level turn
v. Student practice. without increasing power. Note loss of speed
when altitude is maintained. Re-enter a
medium banked turn, increasing power
maintaining constant speed and altitude.
ii. Note the higher pitch attitude and the need to
use elevators and power to correct any
altitude loss.
iii. Student practice.
Hallways & Restroom Breaks

iv. Descending flight. i. From controlled straight Student practice: Following the completion of the
and level flight at Vs1 slow flight demonstrations and practice as
+ 10 knots. described above,
ii. Nominate a rate of descent. the student should be given the opportunity of
iii. Lookout and check a clear area along the practicing slow flight at Vs0 + 10 knots with the
descent path. flaps lowered. Manoeuvres should include straight
iv. Gradually decrease power whilst maintaining and level, level turns, straight climbs and
speed, heading and balance. descents, and climbing and descending turns
v. Stabilise the power setting when the selected
rate of descent has been achieved.
vi. Return to straight and level slow flight by
maintaining speed and increasing power until
the descent rate is zero.
vii. Heading and balance should be maintained
throughout.
viii. Student practice.
Lunchroom
3. a. Move control column just sufficiently
i. forward to unstall the aircraft and
EFFECT OF POWER ON RECOVERY maintain direction.
Demonstrate a stall form straight and level flight, b. Once flying airspeed is achieved and
recovering without power. the aircraft is accelerating, rotate the
i Lookout/Area. nose towards the climb attitude.
ii Entry: c. As the nose moves through the horizon
a. Complete pre-stall checks and apply full power
inspection turn. d. Note height loss.
b. Close throttle (carb heat as required), iv Climb away and complete after take-off
maintain direction and height. checks.
c. Note symptoms of approaching stall. v Level off at the entry attitude and establish
d. Note altitude and speed at moment of straight and level flight.
stall.
e. Remain in trim up to recovery speed. During this period the instructor will introduce
iii Recovery: pilot distractions.
Recess

2. CONTROLLED FLIGHT AT LOW AIRSPEED ii.

(DEMONSTRATION AT Vs1 + 5 KTS) Climbing flight.
i. i. From controlled straight and level flight Vs1 +
From straight and level flight. 5 knots.
i. Maintain a lookout whilst reducing power and ii. Nominate a particular climb rate.
maintaining altitude, heading and balance. iii. Lookout.
ii. Re-trim in stages and when Vs1 + 5 knots is iv. Gradually increase power whilst maintaining
established, adjust power as necessary to speed, heading and balance.
maintain airspeed and altitude. v. Stabilise the power setting when the selected
iii. Student practice. rate of climb has been achieved.
Dismissal

iii. Turning flight. Iv. Descending flight. i. From controlled straight and level flight at Vs1
i. From level slow flight at Vs1 + 5 knots, + 5 knots, nominate a rate of descent.
lookout and enter a medium level turn ii. Lookout and select a clear area along the
without increasing power. descent path.
ii. Note how quickly the airspeed lowers when iii. Gradually decrease power whilst maintaining
altitude is maintained in the turn. airspeed, heading and balance.
iii. Return to straight slow flight. iv. Stabilise the power setting when the selected
iv. Lookout and re-enter a medium turn whilst rate of descent has been achieved.
increasing power to maintain airspeed and v. Re-trim.
altitude. iv. Student practice.
v. Student practice. Student practice: The student should now practice level flight, level
turns, straight climbs and descents and
climbing and descending turns without flap and descents and climbing
and descending
turns with flap down at Vs0 + 5 knots.
 Dismissal
Note 1: At the end of this period the symptoms of the
stall can be demonstrated. Only a small forward
movement of the control column is necessary to return
the aircraft to a condition of controlled slow
flight.
Note 2: If a demonstration of the effects of applying full
power when the aircraft is trimmed with flaps down
in the landing configuration has not yet been carried out,
then it must be demonstrated at this
stage.
Emphasize the effect of going around in configurations
where applications of engine power causes
a strong pitch-up moment and the need to contain this
pitch-up, e.g. the use of a reference (level)
attitude initially with incremental attitude changes as
each stage of flap is retracted. Emphasize
application of these pitch attitudes to the go-around.
Dismissal

c. CONSIDERATIONS OF AIRMANSHIP AND d SIMILARITY TO PREVIOUS EXERCISES

ENGINE HANDLING i. Effect of controls.
AIRMANSHIP ii. Straight climbs and descents.
i. Lookout – clear of other aircraft and cloud. iii. Medium turns.
ii. Maintain aircraft in-trim at all times. iv. Climbing and Descending turns
iii. Use visual horizon for obtaining nose attitude
and bank angles in turns and confirm with
instrument indication.
iv. Co-ordination of controls throughout exercise:
a. Balance – slip and skid.
b. Speed control during flap extension and
retraction
ENGINE CONSIDERATIONS
i. Same as straight climbs and descents
Dismissal
e DE BRIEFING AFTER FLIGHT 2. Discuss the common faults students usually make
1. Briefly recap on the exercise and emphasise the important aspects i. The student will normally tend to concentrate on the airspeed which in
applicable to: one
i. Straight and level flight at Vs1 and Vs0 − the instructor to point out the sense is beneficial, but as the object of the total exercise is complete control
relationship between the lower than normal power setting, speed (Vs1 and over airspeed, altitude, heading and balance he must learn to scan the
Vs0) various
and higher nose attitude required to maintain altitude − Power + Attitude = instruments whilst also maintaining a careful lookout.
Performance. ii. In this respect it should be pointed out that once the correct power
ii. Slow flight in the turn where the bank angle is confined to 15º, and the setting has
power is been achieved, the maintenance of a constant attitude will also result in a
increased to maintain altitude due to the increase in stalling speed as bank constant airspeed, unless the aircraft is allowed to become unbalanced or
angle updraughts/downdraughts are present.
is increased. iii. Balance, particularly when the aircraft is being flown at high power and
iii. The pronounced yawing effect from slipstream and torque with power low
changes. airspeed will create a much larger problem than when the aircraft is being
iv. The relative effectiveness of the primary controls at slow speed. The flown
ailerons at normal operational speeds, and it may be necessary in the early stages
least effective, rudder requiring greater movement and the for
elevator/stabilator the the instructor to fly the aircraft in relation to pitch and lateral level and leave
most effective. the
v. The danger of retracting flap at lower airspeeds − DO NOT raise the flaps student the single task of maintaining balance by use of rudder.
if NOTE: Slow flight, all forms of stalls and recovery from spins at the incipient
airspeed is at the bottom of the green arc (Vs1). stage are
vi. Maintaining the aircraft in balance is all-important. those exercises included in the mandatory two hours of stall/spin awareness
vii. Beware of distractions e.g. radio calls, map reading, etc. Flying the and avoidance training which is now part of the private pilot license course.
aircraft is the
number one priority.
Dismissal

3. Discuss the student’s actual faults

For each fault the instructor must indicate:
i. The symptoms of the fault.
ii. The cause of the fault.
iii. The result the fault could have led to.
iv. The corrective action required.
f. BRIEFLY DISCUSS THE REQUIREMENTS OF
THE NEXT LESSON