Archer slips with full flaps etc.

gene myers · June 2010

Are there any restrictions regarding slipping an Archer or any PA28 with full flaps? If you are high for a landing, what is the best technique to "get it down" in a hurry?

flyguydon · June 2010

I tend to just push in on the yoke and get her down. Regardless how fast I come in it seems I only need a half a mile or so to slow it down and land. I do this with flaps deployed, as otherwise you will be too fast to deploy them.

The best solution is not to come in high in the first place.

JimC · June 2010

No restrictions. However, I've never lost more than 1500 vertical feet in a turning full slup with full flaps, and I had sbout 30 gallons on board at the time.

JimC · June 2010

I do the steep, loaded turns too. They also work when combined with flaps and slipping..

aerobuffet · May 1

As suggested, avoiding the need is the best thing to do. The POH for my Archer refers to slips in only two areas: to aid in closing an open door and in emergency landings.

In the case of a really bad landing where a slip was used (aka, a crash landing), an FAA attorney might argue that you were only permitted to use it in an emergency situation (per the POH), not when a go-around was an option. But let's set that scenario aside . . .

If I feel the landing is easily saved without creating other issues, I'll do a full-flap slip. With that said, there are a lot of things to consider other than, "Hey. I'll just do a slip with this bad boy and all will be well."

First, is there a significant crosswind. Do you really want to dip that wing in the wrong direction? Should you even use full flaps based on wind direction and speed?

I never begin a slip during the base to final turn. To me, aerodynamically, you're simply adding another link to a potential accident chain. You should know you're too high well before initiating the turn to final. So, get established on final, go to full flaps and then initiate the slip.

Also, in a slip, you can't necessarily rely on your airspeed indicator because the pitot tube isn't moving parallel to the direction of flight. You'll have to compensate for the descent rate and will need a little extra airspeed (energy) to do that.

griff390 · May 1

https://piperowner.org/talk/discussion/comment/1445498#Comment_1445498

Great commentary!

Another technique to get down in a hurry is: power idle, airspeed in the white arc, deploy full flaps, then pitch the nose down and hold your airspeed at the top of the white flap arc. When lightly loaded, you'll nearly be standing on the rudder pedals while the view out of the windshield is all earth. It will bring you down in a big hurry without cross controlling the plane. Warning: you'll literally be diving toward the dirt, so if you have passengers, they may become highly unnerved.

Agree with the previous comments that the best method is to stay ahead of the plane and don't approach too high. If it gets too tight, the go-around is your friend.

jacobsja · May 1

Talk about thread mining: 14 year old resurrection.

Seeing as we are here though.

In the Cherokees and Archers, I was usually a bit high as there was plenty of commentary from buddies with more flight experience about losing an engine on final. Only did slips on final and avoided them in a turn over fear of entering a spin. Did not do slips in gusty conditions either. And avoided slips with inexperienced passengers.

There was one PA-28 which cured me of a need to slip: the Arrow. Drop the gear and it sinks!

griff390 · May 1

https://piperowner.org/talk/discussion/comment/1445500#Comment_1445500

Agree on all counts. The thread is old, but the problems we pilots face are the same as they were 14 yrs ago, and so are most of the solutions.

Also agree that coming in a little high doesn't bother me. If you lose an engine, you better your odds of making the runway. Dumping altitude is easy, trying to climb with a dead engine is a little more challenging. 😅

Archer slips with full flaps etc.

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