This exercise is often combined with the spiral dive exercise. Before departure, make sure the student knows the differences between the different types of slips and their uses. Before completing any type of slip, ensure the aircraft is configured properly and a good lookout is performed.
Side Slip
- Find a good, long road with a good cross-wind
- Allow the student to demonstrate how they could crab to maintain a proper track along the road
- Since the side slip is used for crosswind landings, take control and start a gentle power on descent
- Enter a side slip instead of crabbing once established in a descent
- Point out how the nose is pointed down the road
- The aircraft is not drifting
- Rudder controls where the nose is pointed, aileron controls where you are over the road
- Control the airspeed of the aircraft using attitude
- Smoothly recover to cruise neutralizing all controls
Student Practice
Forward Slip
- Find a nice long road preferably into wind
- Complete necessary cockpit checks such as carb heat
- Begin a power off descent
- Once established, enter the forward slip so the nose is not pointed into wind
- If a crosswind from the left exists, the nose should be pointed right with left aileron input
- Point out that the nose is not aligned with the track of the aircraft
- Control the airspeed of the aircraft using attitude
- The greater the control input, the greater the slip
- Smoothly recover to cruise neutralizing all controls
Student Practice
- Explain instrument indications
- Point out airspeed errors as well as VSI
Slipping Turn
- Simulate a base to final turn so your final leg is over a road
- Begin a forward slip however use less rudder than normal so the aircraft continues turning
- This is because of the aileron input
- Relate this to the forward slip
- The more aggressive the control inputs, the greater the rate of descent.
Student Practice
- Explain instrument indications
- Point out airspeed errors as well as VSI
Be careful that the student does not perform any skidding maneuvers. Skidding maneuvers are a lovely way to get into a spin while at low altitude. While also practicing, incorporate flaps into the mix as long as the POH allows it.
Once the exercise is over, you can prepare some scenario based training in the circuit on your arrival.
All of this information on pilot training and flight training in Canada is also available at www.flighttrainers.ca.