SLOW FLIGHT

Objective: Coordination and control of the aircraft at low speeds, such as may be used in the latter parts of a traffic pattern. Maintaining altitude and heading, dividing attention, and showing stall awareness during maneuvering in slow flight.

Content: Configuration for slow flight, holding altitude, holding heading, making coordinated turns at given bank angles, division of attention, recovery.

Equipment:
Airworthy aircraft. PTS.

Schedule:
Ground lesson: 10 minutes
Instructor demonstration: 5 minutes
Student practice: 10 minutes
Postflight feedback: 5 minutes

Instructor:
Preflight: (see lesson plan) motivate, explain, have student be an armchair pilot, list common errors, discuss.
In flight: Demonstrate proper slow flight while talking through it. Coach and encourage student.
Postflight: Give feedback and suggestions.

Student:
Preflight: Attend to explanation, be an armchair pilot, answer questions
In flight: Perform new maneuver after demonstration
Postflight: Ask questions.

Completion Standards:
Commercial: Headings ±10º, bank angle ±10º, altitude ±50 ft., 1.2 VS1 ±5
Private: Headings ±10º, bank angle ±10º, altitude ±100 ft., 1.2 VS1 ±10/-5



GROUND LESSON:
SLOW FLIGHT

Review: Straight-and-level, coordinated turns
Objective: Coordination and control of the aircraft at low speeds, such as may be used in the latter parts of a traffic pattern, or during a climb. Maintaining altitude and heading, dividing attention, and showing stall awareness during maneuvering in slow flight.
Materials: Model airplane

INTRODUCTION: Attention/motivation: (1 minute)
We've been flying at normal speeds, and you see that the plane responds very easily to control. You've noticed that when we come in on the final turns in the traffic pattern, we're going much slower. The plane handles differently. We can spin the plane right around with practically no radius. Slow flight is fun, but we need to learn to maintain altitude and be aware of what the plane is doing when it's nearly hovering along.

DEVELOPMENT: Overview and explanation: (3 minutes)
1. CLEAR AREA
2. Altitude above 1500 ft.
3. Power back
4. Gear and flaps as instructed
5. Airspeed 1.2 VS1 (use power), hand on throttle
6. More right rudder, and retrim
7. Turn as instructed
8. Divide attention
9. Recover: PUFF checklist
10. Cruise checklist
NOTE: The AFH says that slow flight should also be practiced at minimum controllable airspeed, just above the stall. More rudder is required for coordination, and attempting a climb may actually result in a descent.

Armchair piloting: (3 minutes)
Student simulates configuration into slow flight and recovery from it.

Common errors: (2 minutes)

Stalling (very bad)
Iimproper configuration
Hand off throttle
Not holding altitude or heading
Uncoordinated flight, not enough right rudder

Oral evaluation/quiz and discussion questions: (1 minute)
Q: What is the proper configuration for slow flight?
Q: What are the PTS standards?
Q: What are we practicing when doing slow flight?
Q: What is the proper order for recovery?