# Slow flight

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{{More citations needed|date=December 2009}}
In aviation, '''slow flight''' is the region of flight below the maximum [lift to drag ratio](/source/Lift-to-drag_ratio), where [induced drag](/source/Lift-induced_drag) becomes more significant than [parasitic drag](/source/parasitic_drag). Slow flight can be as slow as 3-5 knots above stall airspeed.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Airplane Flying Handbook|publisher=Federal Aviation Administration|year=2016|isbn=9781541058804}}</ref>

Slow flight is sometimes referred to as the “region of reversed command” or the “back side of the power curve”.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge|publisher=Federal Aviation Administration|year=2016|isbn=9781619544734}}</ref> This is because in slow flight, more power is required to maintain straight and level flight at lower [airspeed](/source/airspeed)s. A very high [angle of attack](/source/angle_of_attack) is required to maintain altitude in slow flight.

At these low airspeeds, [flight control surfaces](/source/flight_control_surfaces) begin to lose their effectiveness due to the reduction in airflow over them.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Slow Flight|url=https://www.cfinotebook.net/notebook/maneuvers-and-procedures/airborne/slow-flight|access-date=2020-10-13|website=CFI Notebook}}</ref> [Aileron](/source/Aileron)s are the most affected, and roll control is significantly degraded. If ailerons are used in slow flight, there is a possibility that the high wing will [stall](/source/Stall_(fluid_dynamics)) due to the increased angle of attack, sending the aircraft into a [spin](/source/Spin_(aerodynamics)). In many modern aircraft, [flight envelope protection](/source/flight_envelope_protection) in the [aircraft flight control system](/source/aircraft_flight_control_system) prevents this from happening. The [rudder](/source/rudder) remains effective in slow flight, and yaw provided by it can be used to control the [bank angle](/source/bank_angle) and direction of the aircraft.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Slow Flight}}
Category:Aerodynamics

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Slow flight](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slow_flight) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slow_flight?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.