Despite your best efforts, there will be times when you are too high on final approach. If you’ve pulled out all the power, dropped all the flaps, and still you don’t think you can make the runway, there is one tool left that can help get you there—the slip. Slips are used in all sorts of situations—whether intentionally or not—but final approach is the place to hone the skill and demonstrate it on a practical test. They are great for losing altitude quickly without picking up airspeed.
1. Power to idle
It’s possible to perform a slip with power, but why would you? The point is to lose altitude, and for that, the power should be at idle.
2. Flaps at pilot’s discretion
In most airplanes, slips on final approach should be with full flaps. An exception is some Cessnas, where there is a note in the pilot’s operating handbook warning pilots to avoid full-flap slips.
3. Aileron into the wind
In order to easily maintain the extended centerline and get the greatest rate of descent, the aileron should be deflected into the wind.
4. Full opposite rudder
Almost simultaneously, add full opposite rudder. The slip is established at this point.
5. Maintain airspeed and ground track
Maintain airspeed with pitch (push down to speed up, pull up to slow down), and maintain the runway’s extended centerline with aileron. Keep the rudder fully deflected and simply turn by using more or less aileron input.
6. Relax
Start the recovery at a safe altitude, say 100 feet or so. To recover, simply relax the rudder pressure and aileron. The airplane will return to coordinated flight quickly.
Which Slip?
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