It never ceases to amaze me how much utter claptrap is spoken about this subject. Flaps being "ripped off"? Perlease....

There is only one correct answer to this: Look in the POH for your specific aircraft (not just any old 172's POH or one of the generic "pilot's guides"). Obey the limitations according to the actual words in there, not some rubbish that somebody once told you, or something you read on the internet somewhere. And don't exaggerate what it says in the POH.

Typically, the POH of some 172s specifies that you must not slip with full flaps (but check the wording in your specific POH).

This has, somehow, been twisted and distorted into:

• Do not slip a 172 with any flap
• Do not slip any 172 at all
• Do not slip any high-wing Cessna
• Just to be on the safe side, don't slip any aeroplane.
• If you do, the flaps will fall off and your willy will turn green
• etc...
• etc...

If you do, the flaps will fall off and your willy will turn green

You mean it isn't true?????? :eek::eek::eek::eek:

I think the confusion is created by Cessna 172 POHs and placards stating things like "AVOID SLIPS WITH FLAPS EXTENDED". In other POHs I have seen it they state "AVOID SLIPS WITH FLAPS SETTINGS GREATER THAN 20 DEGREES", etc. People read "Avoid" as "don't", it's just Cessna playing safe as they were subject of a law suit years ago.

Final 3 Greens Said:
Does this have something to do with your PPRuNe Id?

Are you implying that I have 3 you know whats?

No, it's just you took an unhealthy interest in things turning green and I wondered why ;)

I've also had this conversation with numerous instructors over the years and had very much different responses each time.

If I had an engine failure and needed to sideslip with 40 flap (would be dropping like a brick granted!) to make the only suitable field nearby then I'd do it regardless of what the POH says. I've tried this in my 172 with 40 flap at altitude and the only unusual effect I noticed was buffeting of the tailplane which could be confused with pre-stall buffet.
This was also what was explained to me by a very experienced instructor who said not to worry too much about it and that Cessna were just covering their backside, really cant see it flicking or flipping into a spin unless your being a real plonker on the controls however.
As for a normal approach, if you've got 40 flaps out and still need to sideslip then you really should be thinking about throwing it away and going around....

As for having problems sideslipping, I had a case years ago on my CPL course in a C172 where I just could not get the aircraft to sideslip properly. On the next pre-flight I paid particular attention to the rudder and sure enough I could waggle the rudder freely back and forth to nearly 1/3 deflection each way !