Take It Slow and Land Your Airplane Like a Pro

Landing Airplane By Steve Wightman 

Do you know when and how your airplane will fall from the sky? Slow flight will answer that question AND elevate your safety for Landing Airplane with tactile and auditory warnings. 

Definition? Slow flight is that speed in which a further increase in angle of attack or load factor, or a reduction of power would result in a stall warning. Any further increase in the angle of attack load factor or reduction of power would cause an immediate stall. Although a stall can occur at any angle of attack, we will explore stall dynamics in level flight only.  

  1. Level flight: Climb to at least 1,500’ AGL over flat terrain. 
  1. Bug your heading 
  1. Perform clearing turns 90 degrees left and right of your bugged course. 
  1. Gradually reduce power and raise the nose to maintain altitude. 
  1. When the stall warning activates, hold altitude by adding power. 
  1. Record speed 
  1. Repeat for other flap and landing gear settings. 
  1. Set up the landing configuration. 

Practice repeatedly until you are satisfied with the results – holding altitude and airspeed. Feel the control responses and listen to the sound of the propeller and airflow. 

Improve your landings. Knowing the stall speed in the landing configuration is essential for smooth and safe landings. Multiply your stall speed by 1.3 for your round out speed OR what your POH tells you. The two numbers should be identical or at least close. Choose the one you are comfortable with. Landing with your number will allow you to touchdown at a slower than prior speeds, avoid bounces from too much airspeed, touch down smoothly, and use up less runway. You will impress passengers and instructors alike. It all begins with practicing slow flight speeds and controls. Fly safe. 

Review slow flight procedures at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEPrYwiTlMk 

Also Read: SAFER FLIGHT WITH ALL-GLASS PANELS. This Seawind Has 360-Degree Sky Vision

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