Lesson 6: Slips, Emergency Procedures, Crosswind Landings

This was a really packed lesson. We first did a few turns to get warmed up, then I learned how to slip. A slip is when you use a (usually strong) rudder deflection, coupled with opposite aileron. It is usually used to stay centered on the runway during a crosswind landing, or to lose altitude quickly by inducing a strong sink rate. There's nothing difficult about it, though I have not used one on landing (we usually use a different method, "crabbing" with the Zodiac, due to the Zodiac already having a pretty strong tendency to sink on approach).

We then did a simulated engine out descent to an off field landing. Not much different than a standard descent, pitch for best glide (65 knots), then look for a flat spot to set her down on. In an actual emergency you want to set the plane down as slowly as possible to avoid damaging people (primarily) or the plane (severely secondary).

The winds picked up after that, so we flew to Winder (KWDR) for some crosswind landings. It's hard enough for me to land at this point, but add a wind blowing directly across the runway and it gets really hairy. We did three of those at KWDR and then another one back at at Gwinnett (KLZU). That last one was really tough, and I almost had to abort and do a "go around" for another try, but salvaged it in the last few hundred feet.

Eric said I am really improving, so that's good enough for me!