Flight Training - July 2012 - 17

BY ROD MACHADO

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Except for soft-field landings, you generally want to avoid using engine power in the landing flare. Dear Rod: I’m a student pilot, and I am having a very difficult time maintaining my altitude in slow flight at minimum controllable airspeed. I can get to my slow-flight speed just above stall. But once I’m there, it’s very difficult for me to keep from descending. Can you offer any advice for this problem? Dave Greetings Dave: The one thing you must keep in mind when operating in slow flight at minimum controllable airspeed (MCA) is that you are operating on the back side of the power curve, also called the region of

reversed command. If you pull aft slowly or push forward slowly on the elevator control, the airplane will eventually descend or climb, respectively—this is the reverse of what you would experience when operating on the front side of the power curve. Please keep in mind that pulling back or pushing forward quickly might actually produce a temporary climb or descent (respectively), but you’ll eventually see the airplane behave in the reverse manner, as I just described. You can expect this reversal of control functions when operating at 20 to 25 percent or less above stall speed. Because you’re on the back side of the power curve, your instinct when flying slowly at MCA should be to make a power adjustment to stop a descent or a climb, followed by near-simultaneous adjustment of the elevator control to maintain

the target airspeed. The problem most students have with making power adjustments at MCA is that they move the throttle too slowly and timidly. “Dillydally” and “dainty” aren’t in order here. Man up by throttling up to quickly stop any climb or descent. Don’t be thrifty with that throttle. This isn’t the ballet— it’s flight school.
Rod Machado is a flight instructor, author, educator, and speaker. He has been a pilot since 1970 and a CFI since 1973. rodmachado.com). Visit his blog (www.

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Flight Training - July 2012

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