During a forward slip, which device is typically fully open to facilitate the maneuver?

• A. Dive brakes or spoilers
• B. Ailerons
• C. Rudder only
• D. Elevator

Answer: (A)

In a forward slip you want to descend steeper without gaining speed, so the key is increasing drag. In a glider, that’s done by fully extending the airbrakes (dive brakes or spoilers). Opening them dramatically raises drag and lowers the glide ratio, letting you sink faster while your airspeed stays under control. The slip is achieved with coordinated opposite rudder and some bank using the ailerons to hold the slip angle, but the airbrakes are the device that actually makes the maneuver possible by adding the necessary drag. Ailerons, rudder, or elevator alone don’t provide the same large drag effect.