Definition
A flight condition in which the airplane is held on a constant heading and constant altitude while flying at an airspeed just above the stall, typically requiring a high pitch attitude and a high power setting to maintain level flight at that low speed.
Plain English
Flying in a straight line at the same altitude while keeping the airplane at a very slow speed — slow enough that you are close to stalling, so the nose is pitched up and the engine is working harder than normal to hold height.
Context Anchor
Seen in slow-flight training, especially when practicing how the airplane feels and responds at low airspeed before stall practice or landing work.
Why Pilots Care
Builds precise aircraft control near the stall and prepares pilots for the low-speed phases of takeoff, approach, and landing.
Grounding Statement
In straight-and-level slow flight, the airplane is still under control, but it is flying slowly enough that the pilot must be smooth and attentive to keep altitude and direction steady.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as simply “flying slowly in a straight line.” In this FAA training context, it means deliberately flying slowly while holding both heading and altitude under close control.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor asked the student to establish straight-and-level slow flight at an altitude of 3,000 feet and hold heading and altitude within standards.
Example Sentence 2
During the maneuver, the pilot kept the airplane in straight-and-level slow flight while making small heading corrections with rudder and aileron.