Thanks, Ted. I'm a Virginian and got my PPL at the Quantico Flying Club (no longer there). I flew over the baby mountains there back in Oct and miss it. There's a good article in this month's Flying Magazine about getting comfortable with forward slips. Something even the majors do. I know that wasn't the issue here, but it reminded me to practice them for when I do need it!
Full forward slip with full flaps and idle in an Aztec or Navajo will give you a truly impressive descent rate. But there are hundreds of times where a slip and general energy management has made the landing.
Whaaaaaaa??? I've never been on an airliner that did a forward slip. Pretty sure that would violate the "stable" approach guidelines they follow, not to mention probably force a cleanup in aisle 1... Plus, they have plenty of drag-inducing devices available to use instead. @Greg Bockelman, what say you?
I have done a slip in both the 777 and 737. But I was chastised for it in the 777 for some reason. Something about it not being stressed for it, but that is BS IMO. Stable approach only applies below 1,500 feet. Above that anything goes, so to say. For what it is worth, I have only done that twice.
I was a passenger on an airline flight once on which the pilot did a short approach to SJC. Fun! I think it was Reno Air, which was later acquired by American.
Looking for a steep approach in the eastern US? RNAV-A into Lake Placid, NY, KLKP, at 7.92 degrees is interesting to fly....
The first time I landed on glare ice was Steamboat, I asked my passenger to see if he could spot the runway, he pointed to the airplanes sitting in the field. I felt more nervous on takeoff not being able to make full power before releasing brakes.
That's how I used to drive I-70 from the tunnel to Silverthorne (Colorado skiing). Downshift and hang on...aint no way you're going to stop when the road is icy.