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:

There is an ongoing debate regarding the correct application of rudder and ailerons to counter a wing drop at stall speed, with emphasis on maintaining coordinated flight versus immediately lowering the angle of attack to prevent a spin.
Older flight instructors may operate in higher-risk environments due to factors like independent contracting, instructing in diverse or older aircraft, and working with experienced but potentially "scarier" pilots, prompting advice for them to establish personal flying limitations.
Aircraft modifications, such as STOL kits, can significantly alter performance characteristics and safety margins (e.g., maneuvering speed), highlighting the importance of understanding these changes beyond the original Pilot's Operating Handbook.

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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.