Chuck,

An aircraft in a sideslip (foreward slip) is flying out of balance. One can determine this by the fact that the balance ball is out to one side.

If the ball is out to one side then there is a component of yaw present.

Stall + Yaw = Spin.

When flying out of balance, extra drag is created. If power is reduced then speed will reduce quicker when out of balance then when flying in balance due to the extra drag.

If you are flying a crab approach in balance and transfer to the wing down, extra drag is created which will slow the aircraft and if the initial approach was at 1.3Vso then you can quickly find that you are below that speed at a low height with the ball way out to one side. Flying initially a few knots above 1.3 Vso should have the speed settled at 1.3Vso when the wing down is established.

DFC

I find the use of crab a lot easier than the wing down method, and that is in PA28's. I learned in the States, but now fly from Oxford, and that appears to be the prefered method here aswell.

I never got to grips with the wing-down method, personally, but find crabbing reasonably straightforward.

As everyone else says, just get an instructor to demonstrate the various methods to you and take your pick.

Hi DFC:

I am aware of the relasionship between where the ball is and balanced flight, what I am trying to point out is the simple fact that when entering a sideslip to correct for drift or to increase rate of descent it is necessary to lower the nose to allow for the increased drag of the sideslip.

Therefore it is obvious that if the sideslip is taught correctly the concern about stalling is not a factor.

I think what we have here is a lack of understanding on how to instruct rather than what method to use.

I must go now as I am late for an appointment.

Later:::p

.....................
:D The hardest thing about flying is knowing when to say no.:D