Name:
G-Forward Slips to Landing (Sport Pilot, Pvt, Comm'l)
Credits:
1 Credit for Basic Flight Topic 1
Activity Number:
SSF-Forward Slips to Landing
Provided by:
Soaring Safety Foundation

  1. There is no cost for this activity
  2. Activity Details

Based upon the Private Pilot Practical Test Standards for Glider

Area of Operation IV: Launches and Landings

TASK R: LANDINGS - SLIPS TO LANDING

 

Forward slips allow the pilot to steepen the approach path without increasing airspeed. While drag devices reduce the need for forward slips, these devices may fail or be otherwise unavailable to the pilot. There are also situations during a short/off-field landings, or approaches over obstacles where a pilot might want a descent greater than provided by the drag devises alone.

The use of slips has definite limitations. Some pilots may try to lose altitude by erratic slipping rather than by smoothly maneuvering, exercising good judgment, and using only a slight or moderate slip. In off-field landings, erratic or violent slipping may lead to excess speed that could result in landing long or overshooting the entire field.

Knowledge:

  1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to forward, side, and turning slips to landing, with and without the use of drag devices.
  2. Recognizes the situations where a slip should be used to land in a desired area.

Risk Management:

  1. Selection of runway/landing surface, approach path, and touchdown area based on pilot capability, aircraft performance and limitations, available distance, and wind.
  2. Effects of:
    1. Crosswind
    2. Windshear
    3. Tailwind
    4. Wake turbulence
    5. Landing surface/condition
  3. Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
  4. Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  5. Forward slip operations, tail stalls with flaps or spoilers, and airspeed control.
  6. Surface contact with the airplane’s longitudinal axis misaligned.
  7. Unstable approach

Skills:

  1. Establishes a slip without the use of drag devices.
  2. Maintains the desired ground track.
  3. Maintains proper approach attitude.
  4. Makes smooth, proper, and positive control applications during recovery from the slip.
  5. Touches down smoothly within the designated landing area.
  1. Syllabus S-BF1-W-1.0-01 Operating on and around airports/heliports/seaplane bases
  • Traffic Patterns
  • Short Field Landing
  • Slips to Landing
  1. References:
  • FAA-S-8081-22 Private Pilot Practical Test Standard for Glider
  • FAA-H-8083-13 Glider Flying Handbook, Chapter 7
  • POH/AFM
  1. Additional information

The Soaring Safety Foundation’s Flight Training Videos

Slips to Landing

  1. This activity was created on 1/20/2026
  2. If you have questions about this activity, please contact pwrlessflt@msn.com