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3 Answers

Setting up the perfect side slip

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Flight Instructor, General Aviation

I am getting back in flying after a 25 year hiatus.  My original CFI was an old B52 IP and taught me the crab and kick method of crosswind landings.  As I go through my rust removal instruction, my current instructor is a big side slip guy. So I figure it is time that I really learned that option of landing.  I am flying out of a single strip field where 6-8 KT crosswind components are the norm.  Unfortunately, I am struggling with executing this maneuver.  My CFI is great, but this is one area something is getting lost in translation.  

So my question is what is the best way to set up a side slip after turning final?  What are the best ways to practice this maneuver?

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3 Answers



  1. Russ Roslewski on Feb 15, 2017

    Two basic ideas:

    – Find a straight road with a crosswind and practice lining up on it, slipping to stay that way, just like you’re coming down final. As you descend the wind will change and you will have to adjust. Just make sure you’re at a safe altitude.

    – Set up for a long final at your airport – like 5 miles. That will give you more time to practice getting the slip right and see the effects of not having it right.

    The nose should be pointed directly down the runway (or the road). If it’s not, use the rudder to line it up. Left/right drift is countered with ailerons.

    Practice and you’ll get it!

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  2. Best Answer


    Mark Kolber on Feb 15, 2017

    Here’s my take. If you are doing a crab and kick without producing a side load, the “kick” consists of inputting rudder to align yourself with the runway and opposite aileron into the wind to prevent drift just before landing and with wing being raised or pushed to the side on rollout. In other words, exactly the same thing you do on a sideslip, except later.

    That’s the bottom line: there is no difference between “sideslip all the way” and “crab and kick” other than the point at which you make the transition. Merely opposite ends of a spectrum and not different techniques at all. The transition can be anywhere along the spectrum from the point you turn final (even if it’s 10 miles out) up to the split second before touchdown.

    So pick the point which is comfortable for you. And that may change based on the strength of the winds and what you are flying. And, whether you have passengers or not – extended slips are noticeably uncomfortable to passengers, especially if they are in the back seat.

    Personally, I can understand why it’s getting lost in translation. I think a CFI who insists on one of the other, even with a student pilot, is missing the point. And (a big rant subject for me) a CFI who insists on changing a technique that works for someone who is already a pilot just because he likes something better is guilty of the the #1 sin in flight instructing.

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  3. Christopher Ian on Aug 05, 2017

    For what it’s worth. I’ve logged time w/ a dozen CFIs, would never recommend anyone fly with just one or two or three.
    One CFI had a quick fit when I started a crab approach to land. It is trickier, must be done quickly to get wheels straight on ground track just prior to touchdown.
    -An Alaskan bush pilot in a Champion (big balloon tires) was in town, northern CA, a friend suggested some time, this CFI taught me better than anyone how to line up w the runway for crosswinds.
    Wind from left, turn onto final, right hand traffic, a/c is right of centerline.
    Don’t even think of getting onto centerline yet, line up straight & parallel to runway first,
    fly that line, then slip till you get on centerline and maintain that line.
    – Keep in mind, I started in Citabrias, no flaps, slip every landing.

    Mark K., big difference between crab and slip. Crab is flying nose to one side to maintain ground track down the runway centerline. No cross controls.
    Slip- side slip and forward slip are cross controls, very differentfrom crabbing, only difference between side and forward slip is the ground track.
    If i’m in a slip down the runway centerline, that is a forward slip.
    If I’m in a slip off to one side moving closer to runway (landing) centerline, I’m in a side slip. It has to do with relative position to desired landing/ ground track.
    I believe preference is to slip with nose pointing toward windward. So in my case above, nose/rudder left, ailerons/stick to right.

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