Skid (aerodynamic)
Encyclopedia
In flying
, a skid is a specific type of slip
.
It often means a turn where the sideways movement of the aircraft
is outwards from the centre of the turn. Pilots
generally reserve the word slip only for inside slips in a turn (towards the centre).
A skidding turn has no application in ordinary flying — it places the aircraft in an unstable situation, and is a leading cause of fatal stall-spin
accidents. Pilots will typically enter a skidding turn in the airfield traffic pattern
on the turn from base leg to final approach, unconsciously using the rudder in an attempt to tighten the turn and avoid overshooting the runway centreline .
Deliberate skids are used in aerobatics
and aerial combat
.
Aviation
Aviation is the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft. Aviation is derived from avis, the Latin word for bird.-History:...
, a skid is a specific type of slip
Slip (aerodynamic)
A slip is an aerodynamic state where an aircraft is moving somewhat sideways as well as forward relative to the oncoming airflow. In other words, for a conventional aircraft, the nose will not be pointing directly into the relative wind .A slip is also a piloting maneuver where the pilot...
.
It often means a turn where the sideways movement of the aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
is outwards from the centre of the turn. Pilots
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
generally reserve the word slip only for inside slips in a turn (towards the centre).
A skidding turn has no application in ordinary flying — it places the aircraft in an unstable situation, and is a leading cause of fatal stall-spin
Spin (flight)
In aviation, a spin is an aggravated stall resulting in autorotation about the spin axis wherein the aircraft follows a corkscrew downward path. Spins can be entered intentionally or unintentionally, from any flight attitude and from practically any airspeed—all that is required is sufficient yaw...
accidents. Pilots will typically enter a skidding turn in the airfield traffic pattern
Airfield traffic pattern
An airfield traffic pattern is a standard path followed by aircraft when taking off or landing, while maintaining visual contact with the airfield....
on the turn from base leg to final approach, unconsciously using the rudder in an attempt to tighten the turn and avoid overshooting the runway centreline .
Deliberate skids are used in aerobatics
Aerobatics
Aerobatics is the practice of flying maneuvers involving aircraft attitudes that are not used in normal flight. Aerobatics are performed in airplanes and gliders for training, recreation, entertainment and sport...
and aerial combat
Aerial warfare
Aerial warfare is the use of military aircraft and other flying machines in warfare, including military airlift of cargo to further the national interests as was demonstrated in the Berlin Airlift...
.