Using The Rudder

I thoroughly enjoy reading Aviation Safety and its professional articles. Having said that, I was surprised to read the questionable advice by Michael Banner in his article, Proper Rudder Use (October 2014).

Editorial Staff

Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A debate on stall recovery techniques highlights differing views on using rudder to counter a wing drop at stall, with one pilot warning of spin risk and advocating for angle-of-attack reduction, while the original author clarifies that "appropriate" rudder use is for maintaining coordinated flight and preventing wing-tip stalls.
An analysis suggests older flight instructors may face higher risks due to less structured work environments, diverse aircraft types, and a clientele of experienced but potentially "scarier" pilots, recommending self-imposed limitations for safety.
A reader reflects on aircraft modifications, realizing that a STOL kit, while enabling impressive slow flight and short-field performance, likely lowered the aircraft's safe maneuvering speed, a critical safety factor previously overlooked.

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I thoroughly enjoy reading Aviation Safety and its professional articles. Having said that, I was surprised to read the questionable advice by Michael Banner in his article, Proper Rudder Use (October 2014).

In essence, his article is about countering a wing drop if it occurs at the point of stall. While most current training aircraft are designed so that the ailerons are effective below stall speed, pilot mishandling, faulty rigging and even icing can sometimes be the cause of a wing drop at the point of stall. At the low speed normally associated with a stall, the so-called pick-up-the-wing-with-rudder technique he advocates has the potential to cause a spin in the other direction.