[Rant Warning] Tailwheel Training

I don't know if this is relevant, but given the broad range of model years
being discussed, it may be useful...

I recently read an article about the evolution of the POH since the 1970's.
The article touched on the changes to the format and the information
included, but it also discussed the changing legal implications of the data
in the POH.

Is it possible that Cessna's changing attitude toward slips has been due
less to changes in the aircraft and more to changes in the legal climate?




"Bela P. Havasreti" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 20 May 2004 19:22:52 -0800, Dale wrote:

In article ,
Bob Moo re wrote:


Come down off your high horse sonny. No where in the airplane is there
a placard that states "prohibited" about anything. Doesn't say
anything
about "unauthorized" either. I don't have the POH here in front of me
at the time, but as I recall it does say something about slips and
flaps
during landing, but at 4,000' AGL, we wern't anywhere near landing.


Depends on which year 172it is. I was looking at Info Manuals a while
back concerning the slips with flaps stuff and found 2 years (66 and 67
I think it was) that do Prohibit slips with flaps. The year prior and
the years after do not prohibit slips -- which is odd since there are no
big changes to the airframe (the extended dorsal came along in '73).

I don't know squat about 172s (sorry, I'm a 170B guy), but are you
certain the 66 and 67 manuals say "prohibited"? I seem to recall (in
passing) that flaps 40 slips were suggested to be "avoided" (way
different animal than prohibited!).

I belong to the camp that says flaps 40 slips is no big deal, *if*
you're familiar with the airplane, it's limitations and your
limitations. In my opinion, the early 100 series Cessnas (with 40
degree flaps) speak volumes to you if you're willing to listen. The
pitch-over they speak of is very manageable (and easily
avoided) in the right hands. The airframe/controls lets you
know with plenty of warning when it is about to get unhappy, and when
that happens, all you have to do is back off in the slightest amount,
and you're back in business. I get the feeling the "avoided"
mention in the books was put in there to weed out the nerds
(and to aid in any lawsuits filed by same).

That being said, if you need to slip a 100 series Cessna
with flaps 40 hanging out, you didn't plan your approach
right, and you were too high / too fast anyway.... grins

Bela P. Havasreti