Reducing flaps on short finals

[Sillert,V.I.]

I'd agree that slipping is perhaps more useful for those with some experience, though it also depends somewhat on aircraft type.

For example, I learned to fly on the PA-38, which has no signficant pitch change with flap movement; the stall speed difference between clean & dirty is 2kt & it has manually controlled flaps. My instructor was perfectly happy to let me practice glide approaches solo using the flaps as makeshift airbrakes. I was lucky enough to nail one just right for my final handling test.

The PA-38 slips well, too - but it bites hard if stalled with crossed controls & the instructors didn't encourage PPL students to slip it solo.

You'll never forget your first spin in a tommie.