Asymmetry In Action

Symmetry. Balance. These concepts are universal to virtually all human philosophy and aesthetics. An aviation credo is that "if an airplane design looks good, it will fly good." In most cases, "looking good" means having proportions-and symmetry-that please the eye. We strive for balance and symmetry in the way we fly as well. Pitch attitudes. Bank angles. Airspeeds. Rudder coordination. Almost everything we do is designed to make maneuvers steady and balanced. Some of the most challenging maneuvers on practical tests make us demonstrate symmetry, with airspeeds, altitudes and bank angles at one point of the maneuver equaling those at others, and balanced rudder input throughout. But there are times when we must violate the concept of symmetry to make the airplane perform. Most notably, this means something other than balanced rudder input.

Key Takeaways:

• While symmetry and balance are generally prized in aviation design and most flight operations, critical situations often demand intentional asymmetry for optimal performance and safety.
• Pilots purposefully employ uncoordinated "slips" to lose altitude rapidly without increasing airspeed, a technique valuable for steep descents, flap failures, and precise crosswind landings.
• In multi-engine aircraft, an engine failure requires precise asymmetric control inputs (rudder and bank) to counteract unbalanced thrust and drag, enabling "zero-sideslip" flight for maximum performance.
• Achieving optimal performance in these asymmetric scenarios, especially during single-engine flight in twins, necessitates specific, often subtle, uncoordinated control adjustments determined through aircraft-specific knowledge and practice, as a centered slip/skid ball may not indicate true zero-sideslip.

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