slips

[eriknorth]

Alright...I've been hearing differently from different people. I hear that a forward slip should only be used in an emergency situation, except for training and stuff. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it shouldn't be used in the event that you are just high in an approach. That's what I've heard. And that only a side slip should be used in a high approach. Can anyone confirm or refute this?

 

[JBHewlett]

For me

It really depends on the circumstance really. I really don't see that there is much problem in doing a forwards slip, at least if you are in a light cessna. However you are not recommended to do forward slips with more then 20 degrees of flaps down. If I do a foward slip I will most always do it with the flaps in the full up position.

Have great one,
J.

 

[profile]

The 20 degree "limit" is only a C-172 thing, and not really a big issue, just keeps things more comfortable. Doesn't apply to other types.

As for using forward slips to get down, really not a problem for any light airplane, but if you are in a large jet it is best saved for emergencies as if you've messed up the approach that badly you should just go around and get it right the next time.

 

[ShawnC]

For light airplanes, I prefer slips over flaps. Why is that? Becuase when you pull out of the slip you don't lose lift as you would with flaps.

 

[alimaui]

I was taught that there is nothing wrong with doing a forward slip, of course I was in a cherokee at the time so taking advantage of it was not a problem.

But for sure,the next time I fly the concord I will be extra careful when deciding to show my expertise at the maneuver.

Ali

 

[Bluto]

Erik North,
Just to clarify, a side-slip is not used to increase rate of descent. It is used to compensate for cross-wind. I personally teach my students that they should be continually correcting for altitude deviations on approach. However, if a slip is necessary to make a normal approach, a go-around is a better option.

 

[BigFlyr]

Don't mean to sound like a cowboy but I've experienced, more than once, a full forward slip in a B727 usually when cleared for a close-in visual approach. YAHOO! That's the benefit of flying cargo!...No one to scare but yourself.

Granted, some speculate that a forward slip in a jet aircraft may not be a good thing as the airflow into the engines can be disrupted, causing compressor stall or worse yet, a flameout.

 

[172driver]

Absolutely nothing wrong with a forward slip in any light Cessna, even with full flaps. The only reason for the recommendation in the 172 is that you may get a buffet as airflow is disturbed over the tail. This is not dangerous, merely disconcerting if not expected. I agree that slips should not be used as a routine maneuver...the approach should be a little more stabilized than that. However, with the new PTS for Commercial and CFI applicants, the slip is going to be used with frequency during the Power off accuracy landing...with full flaps. If you do it right, you will come in high and slip it down.

 

[Jump Pilot]

Slips should never show below the bottom of a dress or skirt.
It's very tacky.

 

[TurboS7]

Forward slips are a nice tool to have in your back pocket. The other day I was riding into ORF from ATL on DAL.9(MD-88) We were very high when cleared for the visual. The pilots(I don't know who was flying) did a beautiful forward slip right down to the glideslope and we landed nicely. I looked around at the pax. some knew things were a little diffrent but most didn't even notice. I have heard that theMD-80 series slips very nice.

 

[aero99]

I agree with Shawn and I have just skipped the flaps on some landings and slipped it.

Some of the older open cockpits that fly around the field at my office don't have flaps, so the slip is standard for them- at least I see them doing it that way about 90% of the time.

 

[FlyinBrian]

I'll join the pro-slip crowd. Sometimes I request a short approach just to see how close I can keep it to the field.

As far as with flaps, the 172 will slip just fine at full flaps, but the little bit of buffet can be alarming if unexpected. I think that if you're trying to bleed energy, flaps are a much easier way to to it. If you've unintentionally put youself in a position of needing to bleed energy, I'd use flaps first, then slip. When I'm making short approaches, I do this as well because I can make them shorter that way.

I wouldn't say a slip is a normal maneuver, but it is certainly not to be reserved for emergency situations.

 

[Pilotadjuster]

Slip it!

I'll agree on the slip issue. - particularly in a cherokee, even with full flaps. Great for practicing aircraft control, just in case you ever have to make that emergency landing in the only open field in the forest...

Actually, they are a lot of fun; slipping a cherokee with full flaps feels kinda like a helicopter coming in. 1000+ descent rate, going practically nowhere forward...

Done them many times with slam-dunk arrivals requested at SLC. Been over the West runways and been asked to accept runway 14 (east side, short and ends in runway 17) when at 6k (pattern is 5,200). Yet to try that in a 172 w/full flaps yet, as the POH had me convinced the thing will fall out of the sky if you slip with full flaps

 

[aggiepilot87]

I agree that slips should not be used as a routine maneuver...

What if you're flying a plane without flaps? Besides, other than loading the fin/rudder, I see no downside.

my 2¢

 

[FlyinBrian]

Done them many times with slam-dunk arrivals requested at SLC. Been over the West runways and been asked to accept runway 14 (east side, short and ends in runway 17) when at 6k (pattern is 5,200).

A well executed short approach can make you really popular with controllers when you can get them out of a bind