• Sources and references

Purpose of Slow Flight

Slow flight develops the pilot's ability to precisely control the airplane at low airspeed and high angle of attack while recognizing the changing sight, sound, control feel, and performance cues that occur as the airplane approaches a stall. It builds the coordination, energy management, and divided-attention skills used during approach, landing, go-around, and stall recognition.

• Recognize the relationship between angle of attack, airspeed, load factor, configuration, weight, and attitude.
• Recognize reduced control effectiveness and the need for larger, smoother control inputs at low airspeed.
• Learn that pitch primarily controls angle of attack/airspeed tendency while power is used to manage altitude/flightpath during stabilized slow flight.
• Develop coordinated rudder use as power and angle of attack increase.
• Recognize an impending stall and respond immediately rather than attempting to remain in a stalled condition.
• Maintain outside visual orientation while cross-checking flight instruments instead of fixating inside the cockpit.

Reference

FAA Airplane Flying Handbook, Chapter 5, pp. 5-9–5-12.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, the student should be able to:

1. Explain why an airplane requires a higher angle of attack to maintain lift as airspeed decreases.
2. Describe the effects of induced drag and why additional power is required in slow flight.
3. Explain why control effectiveness decreases and why yaw becomes more pronounced at high power/high AOA.
4. Configure the East Pine Cessna 172 for slow flight using the Skyhawk procedure.