Slow Flight

The symptoms of slow flight and a possible impending stalled condition are:

1. Nose-high attitude with respect to the horizon.
2. Lower aircraft noise (may not be a good symptom for well-sealed aircraft).
3. Mushy response to control input.
4. Stick aft of the central position or aft pressure on the stick.
5. Low indicated airspeed.
6. High sink rate (aircraft may be in a mushing stall already).
7. Pre-stall buffeting (not seen in all aircraft).

The outline for this exercise is:

1. Instructor coaches student’s attempt at Pre-Takeoff Checks.
2. Student does not have hands on controls during launch until after 300 feet.
3. Instructor directs the student’s attention to the towplane until just before 300 feet.
4. Instructor prompts student to call out 300 feet, and then check the altimeter if not called out.
5. Student’s attention directed to the towplane again. If conditions are not turbulent is allowed tofollow through on the controls for the remainder of the aerotow. Instructor’s actions during theaerotow are simply described to the student.
6. Instructor coaches lookout, release, and turn. Student performs with instructor following through on controls. Once in level flight instructor hands control over to the student alone and coaches trimming.
7. Instructor coaches student attempt to locate the airfield.
8. Instructor coaches CALL check and linked turns. Requires good lookouts before each turn.
9. Instructor coaches student into slow flight attitude, review use of the trim as necessary.
10. Instructor coaches student practise of moderate turns in slow flight regime.
11. Instructor coaches student through the downwind checks and student alone flies the aircraft.
12. Instructor takes control after the turn on to base leg is completed, student continues to follow through on the controls and instructor provides simple descriptions of the actions taken during the landing.