Basic Concepts

Slow Flight
There are a number of situations when the This lesson is not for operational slow flight,
aeroplane must be flown at or near its minimum but aims to improve the students’ awareness
airspeed, for example, during takeoff, landing, of the characteristics of flight at slow airspeeds
a go around, or missed approach and in the and provides practise in maintaining balanced
stalling lessons. flight at those airspeeds. It is another important
coordination exercise, reinforces the lessons
learnt during Straight and Level at varying
airspeeds, and is good preparation for the stalling
lessons and for the takeoff and landing phase
of circuit training.

Objectives Principles of Flight

To slow the aeroplane and maintain In normal cruise the angle of attack was
approximately 4 degrees and the airspeed
straight and level at low airspeed knots.
(1.2VS). From the Straight and Level lesson, lift is primarily
controlled by varying either angle of attack or
To maintain straight and level at low airspeed. As lift must equal weight to maintain
airspeed in various configurations. level flight, as the airspeed decreases the angle
of attack must increase.
To maintain a constant altitude
while turning at low airspeed. Power + Attitude = Performance
In order to fly level at lower than normal airspeed,
To return to normal operating a higher than normal nose attitude is required, and
airspeeds. once at that attitude, a small increase in power is
needed to maintain the desired altitude.
2 Basic Concepts: Slow Flight

S Security
Figure 1 No loose articles, harnesses secure.
There should be no loose articles in
the cockpit at any time because of the
potential for jammed controls. Explain that
harness security is a good aviation practice
consideration.

E Engine
Temperatures and pressures normal, mixture
rich, fuel sufficient and on fullest tank. Fuel
pumps operated in accordance with operator
procedures.
This is a routine systems scan to ensure
everything is normal, before and during the
Revise control effectiveness at slow speeds and exercise.
the effects of slipstream. The controls will be
sluggish and not as responsive as they would L Location
be at a higher speed and the reduced slipstream Not over a populated area and clear of known
will require balancing with rudder. traffic areas, including airfields.

Revise the effect of low airspeeds on control input

L Lookout
and response. As was seen in the turning lesson
Carry out a minimum of one 180-degree, or
a slower speed produces more adverse yaw.
two 90-degree, clearing turns, to ensure other
traffic will not result in conflict.

Airmanship
Revise the 20 degree visual scan technique
as introduced in the Medium, Climbing and
Aeroplane Management
The use of smooth but positive throttle and control
Descending Turns lesson. Take into account the
movements should be stressed. Even though
high nose attitude.
more positive movement of the controls will
HASELL checks are carried out before stalling be required there is no need to be aggressive
and aerobatics, and are introduced in this lesson. with the controls.
Revise why carburettor heat may need
H Height (not altitude) to be used.
Not less than 2500 feet above ground level.
Be aware that operating at low airspeeds may
Some organisations stipulate a height greater
raise engine operating temperatures.
than 2500 feet agl, consult with your CFI.
Consider the position of the aeroplane three
A Airframe dimensionally within the training area.
State the configuration to be used. Consider the warning symptoms of the
approaching stall and be constantly aware of
the aeroplane’s configuration and flight phase.
 Basic Concepts: Slow Flight 3

Human Factors L Lookout

In a scan loop, look out to the left (port) and
There is a high level of concentration needed
scan 20 degrees for 2 seconds from left to
in this exercise, and is therefore quite a
right, passing over the nose of the aircraft.
demanding lesson.
The high nose attitudes will be unfamiliar A Attitude
to the student. Ensure the attitude is correct and, more
importantly, constant. When the outside scan
is complete, scan inside.
Air Exercise
I Instruments
Straight and Level at Low Airspeed The instruments are scanned to confirm
Using the flight manual, or by conducting a stall, accurate flight.
determine 1.2VS
A reference altitude is nominated and a reference If a constant altitude is not being maintained, use
point selected. power as required and adjust attitude to maintain
the nominated airspeed.
Power + Attitude = Performance
Power + Attitude = Performance.
P Power If the correct level attitude has been selected
Is reduced (carburettor heat may be required) the airspeed will be knots (as nominated).
to approximately rpm.
If the correct power setting is maintained the
The resultant pitch change and yaw must aeroplane will maintain level flight, and if
be compensated for. Ensure smooth throttle the wings are level and balance maintained the
movements are used. aeroplane will remain straight.

A Attitude Turning at Low Airspeed

With the elevator, adjust the attitude to Lift will need to be increased in the turn and this
maintain level flight. will produce an increase in drag. Power will need
The airspeed will decrease gradually. As the to be increased to combat the drag and maintain
airspeed decreases the aeroplane’s nose the nominated airspeed.
will want to pitch down, requiring subtly Revise adverse yaw from the Medium, Climbing
increasing back pressure on the control and Descending Turns lesson. Adverse yaw is
column to maintain the altitude. The wings countered with rudder applied in the direction of
should be kept level in relation to the horizon, the roll, maintain balance.
and rudder adjusted to keep straight on the
At low airspeeds the ailerons will need to be
reference point.
deflected further to achieve the same roll rate as
Remind the student that during those phases at higher airspeeds. This will significantly increase
of flight where power and/or airspeed are the induced drag and require more rudder to
changing, a change in rudder pressure will be negate the adverse yaw.
required to maintain balance.
Returning to Normal Cruise
T Trim To regain normal cruise, the mnemonic PAT
Promptly and accurately. is used. Because of inertia, power leads the
sequence to arrest any descent resulting from
Maintain straight and level flight at the nominated
lowering the attitude.
airspeed, adjust power as necessary to maintain
height and apply the mnemonic LAI.
4 Basic Concepts: Slow Flight

P Power Establish the aeroplane in the approach

Carburettor heat COLD (if applicable), and configuration in a descent at 1.2VS. Then establish
smoothly increase power to full power. the aeroplane in a climb, thereby simulating the
Correct the resultant yaw with rudder and the go around.
pitch up with elevator while: On the way back to the aerodrome, discuss some
more radio calls, and talk them through rejoining
A Attitude the circuit.
Gradually lowering the nose and holding
the level attitude. Maintain wings level with After Flight
aileron, and balance with rudder (as airspeed The next lesson will be Basic Stalling, ask the
increases). student to read up on this.
Provide the student with a copy of the checklists
T Trim and ask them to start learning the correct
Remove obvious loads. When flaps have responses for the checklist items. Inform them
been raised (if applicable) and normal cruise that you will expect them to know the checklists
airspeed achieved, set cruise power, and from memory before they do their first solo flight,
confirm straight and level is maintained. and the first step to memorising them is to learn
the correct responses.
LAI – trim accurately to hold the correct attitude.

Airborne Sequence
On the Ground
Ask the student to do the preflight inspection,
and then to come to you afterwards if they have
any questions.
Introduce more radio work, and ask the student
to call and complete the checklists.

The Exercise
The student should be able to complete the
takeoff by themselves.
On the way out to the training area, there is
opportunity to practise climbing and turning.
The student then enters straight and level
from the climb and is talked through the
HASELL checks.
Demonstrate the entry to slow flight at the
nominated airspeed and in the nominated
configuration – with and without flap. The student
should practise after each demonstration.
Demonstrate turning (at up to 20 degrees angle
of bank) including reversing the turn direction,
followed by student practise.
Allow the student to regain normal cruise, while
talking them though the process.