Private Pilot (Airplane) Forward Slips To Landing Lesson Plan

Private Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area IV, Task M

The Private Pilot (Airplane) Forward-Slip to Landing Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with forward slip to a landing.

Private Pilot (Airplane) Forward Slips To Landing Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Part 1, Introduce the lesson:
    0:05
    Part 2, Forward Slip to Landing:
    0:10
    Part 3, Forward Slip to Landing Risk Management:
    0:10
    Part 4, Forward Slip to Landing Guided Scenario(s):
    0:15
    Part 5, Conclude Lesson:
    0:10
    Remotivation/Closure:
    0:05
    Total Ground Time:
    0:00

  • Attention Getter:

    • Research and present a mishap case study:
    • Discuss how the initial conditions developed into an incident/accident/mishap.
    • Relate similar personal experiences of the same type of incident/accident/mishap.
    • Consider incorporating a case study as a guided scenario.

  • Motivator:

    • A slip is a cross-control procedure where you are using "wing-low, top-rudder" to track the aircraft straight for altitude loss (forward-slip) or crosswind compensation (side-slip)
      • In doing this, you will need to lower the nose as the increase in drag without an increase in thrust will cause a rapid loss of airspeed, risking a stall
      • Simply stated, the higher the angle of bank, the lower the nose must be

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Private Pilot (Airplane) Forward Slips To Landing Lesson Plan

Materials

Private Pilot (Airplane) Forward Slips To Landing Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Before the lesson, review reference materials.
  • Part 1, Introduce the lesson:
  • Part 2, Forward Slip to Landing:
    • Explain forward-slip drag and energy management, assess approach speed, descent, configuration, alignment, and remaining distance, and discontinue an unstable approach. (PA.IV.M.K1; PA.IV.M.R9)
    • Apply atmospheric and wind effects to landing performance; contrast headwind and tailwind touchdown groundspeed and stopping margins. (PA.IV.M.K2; PA.IV.M.R2; PA.IV.M.R2c)
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain and observe an into-wind forward slip when appropriate, with aircraft-specific wind correction and transition to an aligned sideslip before touchdown. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.IV.M.K3; PA.IV.M.S7)
    • Assess runway, approach path, touchdown area, pilot capability, aircraft limitations, wind, and available distance using weight-specific landing data; choose another option when margins are inadequate. (PA.IV.M.R1)
    • Assess crosswind using components on a common heading reference; distinguish demonstrated crosswind capability, operating limits, and pilot capability. (PA.IV.M.R2a)
    • Assess windshear and select avoidance or aircraft-specific escape action without importing an airliner pitch target. (PA.IV.M.R2b)
    • Assess actual wake risk, light-crosswind wake retention and drift, and adequate remaining runway before choosing an above-path/beyond-touchdown landing; an advisory does not remove the hazard. (PA.IV.M.R2d)
    • Assess landing-surface condition and resolve wet-runway performance uncertainty rather than substituting unsupported dry-runway data. (PA.IV.M.R2e)
    • Assess rejected-landing and go-around risk and prebrief timely triggers, aircraft-specific control and configuration, and a viable escape path. (PA.IV.M.R3; PA.IV.M.R3a)
    • Assess LAHSO distance and separation before acceptance; decline when unable or unwilling, stop short even without a preceding exit, and reject an unsafe long landing while preserving separation and advising ATC. (PA.IV.M.R3b)
    • Assess collision, distraction, task-priority, disorientation, and awareness hazards during the slip; preserve control, traffic and terrain scanning, and a clear landing path. (PA.IV.M.R4; PA.IV.M.R6)
    • Assess low-altitude stall, spin, and CFIT hazards; distinguish a controlled slip from an uncoordinated stalled condition and retain an early safe escape option. (PA.IV.M.R5)
    • Use retrieval questioning to have the learner explain aircraft-specific slip airspeed-indication errors, airspeed control, fuel pickup and fuel-quantity/duration restrictions, and flap/tail-stall cautions before combining flaps and slipping flight. (PA.IV.M.R7)
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain misaligned-touchdown loading and directional-control hazards; observe proper pitch, no side drift, longitudinal alignment over the landing path, touchdown within ACS point tolerance, and aligned ground track. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.IV.M.R8; PA.IV.M.S8; PA.IV.M.S9)
    • Observe checklist and radio use, a suitable path and touchdown point considering altitude, wind, terrain, obstructions, surface, and aircraft limitations, parallel downwind positioning, and correct configuration. Identify and correct observed deviations to applicable ACS standards. (PA.IV.M.S1; PA.IV.M.S2; PA.IV.M.S3; PA.IV.M.S4; PA.IV.M.S5; PA.IV.M.S6)
    • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of the purpose of a forward slip and how it differs from a crosswind sideslip. (PA.IV.M.K4)
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply aircraft-specific slip limitations, indications, and configuration restrictions.
    • Have the student plan slip recovery, landing alignment, and a timely go-around.
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply forward-slips to landing.
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply forward-slips to landing procedures.
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply forward-slips to landing common errors.
  • Part 3, Forward Slip to Landing Risk Management:
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain the gear-loading and directional-control risk of misaligned runway touchdown. Use Q9104 to check this component; observe the stated airplane-class and equipment restrictions. (PA.IV.M.R8)
  • Part 4, Forward Slip to Landing Guided Scenario(s):
    • Use the guided scenarios to assess energy management, runway and touchdown-area selection, slip direction and recovery, aircraft limitations, and go-around decisions.
  • Part 5, Conclude Lesson:
    • Tie lesson back to previous lessons (power-off stalls, cross-controlled stalls) to reinforce past experiences (law of readiness).
    • Present the remotivation, conclude, and provide guidance for follow-on lessons.
    • Review student actions required ahead of the next lesson.
  • Update instructor endorsement records and the student's jacket, as required.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Forward Slips To Landing Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

Private Pilot (Airplane) Forward Slips To Landing Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Private Pilot (Airplane) Forward Slips To Landing Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Airplane) Forward Slips To Landing Airman Certification Standards

Knowledge 4 ACS Elements
Risk Management 9 ACS Elements
Skills 9 ACS Elements
  • PA.IV.M.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • PA.IV.M.S2:
    Make radio calls as appropriate.
  • PA.IV.M.S3:
    Plan and follow a flightpath to the selected landing area considering altitude, wind, terrain, and obstructions.
  • PA.IV.M.S4:
    Select the most suitable touchdown point based on wind, landing surface, obstructions, and airplane limitations.
  • PA.IV.M.S5:
    Position airplane on downwind leg, parallel to landing runway or selected landing surface.
  • PA.IV.M.S6:
    Configure the airplane correctly.
  • PA.IV.M.S7:
    As necessary, correlate crosswind with direction of forward slip and transition to side slip before.
  • PA.IV.M.S8:
    Touch down at a proper pitch attitude, within 400 feet beyond or on the specified point, with no side drift, and with the airplane's longitudinal axis aligned with and over the runway center/landing path.
  • PA.IV.M.S9:
    Maintain a ground track aligned with the runway center/landing path.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Forward Slips To Landing Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Forward Slips to Landing requires disciplined planning, stabilized energy management, and precise control from the approach through touchdown and rollout.
    • Evaluating wind, runway conditions, obstacles, aircraft performance, and personal limitations helps pilots recognize when an approach remains safe and when a timely go-around is required.
    • Consistent airspeed control, runway alignment, traffic scanning, communication, and checklist discipline integrate aircraft handling with sound operational judgment.
    • Continued practice with Forward Slips to Landing prepares private pilots for changing conditions and increasingly demanding landing scenarios in later training.

  • Closure:

    • The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provides test-taking guidance and test guides on its website.
    • To learn more about preparing for the practical test, visit the checkride page.
    • Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson.
    • Assign study materials for the next lesson.