c-bert and classic,
You should be able to demonstrate a height losing forward-slip to landing to your PPL examiner. Side slips are generally used to land in crosswind conditions, and plenty of students also learn this technique as part of their training. If you do it properly you will be side-slipping when you are an inch off the ground. Side slips and forward slips are aerodynamically the same, and aren't dangerous if done properly (like everything I guess). You shouldn't be worried about them. And just to labour the point, it's skidding that causes stall/spin accidents in the pattern, you won't spin in a slip if you keep your nose even remotely pointed down.
Agree with what nosehair says..
In fact at my last BFR, the aerobatics instructor took us to altitude and all we did was cross controlled stalls, late recovery stalls and MCA work. It really beat me up, and I was very current on aerobatics at the time. We didn't spin but we were prepared for it to happen. Excellent practice.
Last edited by slim_slag; 4th Aug 2004 at 16:35.