Being able to control an airplane during slow flight is a skill that you will use every time you land. Some flight instructors consider slow flight to be the most important maneuver for pilots to master. It may feel uncomfortable at first to fly at such low speeds, but doing so successfully reinforces an understanding of the forces of flight. It also is a safety-enhancing maneuver, as the ability to control the airplane at slower speeds helps to avoid loss of control.

When performing slow flight, your instructor will ask you to slow the aircraft to approximately five to 10 knots above stall speed, and add flaps as needed. As the airplane slows down, you must increase the angle of attack (which increases lift) in order to maintain altitude. Increasing the angle of attack will also slow the airplane, so you must judiciously add power to counteract that.

Once the target airspeed is achieved, you’ll be expected to maintain that airspeed as you perform turns, climbs, and descents. Each of those changes from straight and level flight will require a change in angle of attack and power. But if you increase the angle of attack too much, the critical angle will be exceeded and cause the one or both wings to stall.

Slow flight is a balancing act that requires a deep understanding of the relationship between the four forces of flight—lift, weight, thrust, and drag—and the airplane’s speed and configuration. Pilots preparing for a checkride or flight review should ensure they are ready to not only perform slow flight, but also explain the aerodynamics associated with it.

More information about slow flight and the aerodynamics of this maneuver can be found in Chapter 5 of the FAA’s Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge as well as Chapter 5 of the FAA’s Airplane Flying Handbook.