Thread: Slow Flight
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Old September 9th 07, 05:10 AM posted to rec.aviation.piloting
Roger (K8RI)
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Default Slow Flight

On Sat, 08 Sep 2007 21:18:13 -0400, Dudley Henriques
wrote:

Shirl wrote:
Ol Shy & Bashful wrote:
In my opinion, the pilot who is comfortable throughout the entire
speed range of their aircraft is a properly trained pilot and one who
will not get into an inadvertant stall, or spin.
What are your thoughts?


I think what you said makes complete sense.
But I always wonder how people define "comfortable"? I was trained the
way you described and have repeated the drill more regularly than some.
I can do it if asked or necessary, I understand it, and I know how my
airplane acts. But I don't *like* flying at that edge of the envelope.
Does that mean I'm "uncomfortable"?


No. You never really want to feel completely "comfortable" in the
airplane. You always want to be performing on that "edge" of awareness
when flying that keeps you ahead of the "comfortable" area and more into
the "alert" area. In other words, the correct mental attitude while
flying is one of being relaxed, but on guard and alert....just a bit on
edge as they say......to put it bluntly...SHARP!
Just an aside; beware of the fact that you "don't like" flying near the
edge of the envelope. The normal reaction should be more associated with
an "increased awareness and alertness" when flying in this area. It's ok
for the comfort level to go down as you enter this area, but it
shouldn't go so far down that you actually dislike flying on the left side.
I'd work on that and possibly change from a dislike to feeling just a
bit sharper in this area.


This is kinda,sorta, similar to ice skating and doing what are called
"back crossovers". You can built terrific speed, particularly coming
out of corners. You can build speed to the point of not just being
beyond your comfort zone, but on the edge of controllability. Repeated
skating in this area not only expands the comfort zone, but the speed
at which positive control can be maintained. With proper training and
practice it doesn't take long to fine yourself skating at a speed that
is now not only comfortable, but faster than that at which you could
have maintained control only a few weeks earlier. Now add a couple
dozen other skaters on the same ice that you need to avoid. Like
flying, if you avoid this area you will never really come near
reaching the limits of your abilities or developing them to
perfection.

Like flying, you learn not to get complacent or you are going to get
hurt. After all, you are skating on "blades" and those blades can cut
like a knife.

In skating you can get badly hurt not knowing the limits. In flying
you can get killed.