setting up slow flight/constant speed prop

eman1200

eman1200

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Bro do you even lift
I'll pre-say it for you, I'm probably overthinking it.

With that said, in a typical trainer (Cherokee) here's a high level of setting up slow flight:

power down, pitch up, notch of flaps, trim.
power down, pitch up, notch of flaps, trim.
add a lil power, pitch up, final notch of flaps, trim.

How does this process change with a constant speed prop? Can someone high-level it for me? I'm fixin to start my complex training tomorrow and for some reason this thought popped into my mind. Thanks!
 
no change - rpm is set and there is no need to change the setting even if manifold pressure is pulled so that the engine drops out of the controlled range. I usually don't mess around when pulling power - get it out and get slowed down then "catch" the slow flight by bringing power in when needed.
 
Prop full forward for those maneuvers (just like for landing). When you pull the throttle back, the RPMs will drop automatically at the lower throttle settings. When you apply full throttle on recovery, then you will have the RPMs you need. Simple.
 
Yup, the point of slow flight is to practice for the flare. So, you do it in landing configuration. Flaps down, gear down, prop high, cowl flaps open.
 
'prop full forward', ok that makes sense. I can visualize the procedure much better with that info, thanks!
 
In the Arrow I do it like this:

Power out to 15in
Prop to 2500 rpm
Gear down below 125 mph
Pitch up to slow in to white arc
1st notch of flaps
add a couple of inches of manifold pressure
2nd notch of flaps
Pitch up some more
add some more MP
3rd notch of flaps
Pitch up some more
add any more MP required

I do it this was to limit the large power adjustments that we commonly used during primary training.
 
In the Arrow I do flaps, flaps, gear flaps, prop full. Recovery is throttle full, flaps, flaps, gear, flaps, cruise chcklist.
 
Mean, if you're going out in the Mooney, there are only two flap settings. Slow down into the white arc, Takeoff flaps, slow some more, gear down, slow some more, Full Flaps, push Mixture & Prop forward, use throttle to slow down until the horn chirps, then give just enough throttle to hold her there.

Also remember, Trim is your friend! Slow down, trim up, add flaps, trim up, slow down, trim up, gear down, slow down, trim up, etc.

I've flown (BFR? Checkride?) for several minutes, turning left and right, with the horn blaring. The CFI/CFII on the right was surprised, no stall, no issues.
 
I like to put the prop/s to full feather. It really tests your ability to hold altitude during slow flight.
 
NJP_MAN said:
You ever flown a caravan?
Click to expand...

I have not. Please explain what you mean. Are you doing slow flight with a single engine stopped? I can see why that really would be a challenge to maintain altitude in slow flight.
 
PPC1052 said:
I have not. Please explain what you mean. Are you doing slow flight with a single engine stopped? I can see why that really would be a challenge to maintain altitude in slow flight.
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THATSTHEJOKE.jpg
 
eman1200 said:
'prop full forward', ok that makes sense. I can visualize the procedure much better with that info, thanks!
Click to expand...

Prop would go full foward but only once slow enough.

The last constant speed prop I flew said 90 knots or slower when pulling the prop back. That's why people are saying flaps fully down before messing with the prop.
 
eman1200 said:
With that said, in a typical trainer (Cherokee) here's a high level of setting up slow flight:

power down, pitch up, notch of flaps, trim.
power down, pitch up, notch of flaps, trim.
add a lil power, pitch up, final notch of flaps, trim.

How does this process change with a constant speed prop?
Click to expand...

power down, pitch up, notch of flaps, trim.
power down, pitch up, notch of flaps, trim.
add a lil power, pitch up, final notch of flaps, trim, prop forward.
 
Gucci Pilot said:
power down, pitch up, notch of flaps, trim.

power down, pitch up, notch of flaps, trim.

add a lil power, pitch up, final notch of flaps, trim, prop forward.
Click to expand...


Thanks. Seems to be the common theme, prop forward at the end. Of course I just found out the plane is still in annual, so once again, FU aviation! No lesson today for me.
 
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