Are slats shy ?

[Crumpp]

- Could the pilot control the leading edge slats?

Geez....

look at the video....

Do you see me hitting the "slat button" or pulling the "slat lever".....

NO!!

Just like the finnish ace you quote but misinterpret his reply....

The slats were extended when the speed decreased enough, you could feel when they were extended.

They work by air pressure at a specific angle of attack! Watch the video again and Guess how the pilot can control that air pressure??

I actually filmed the amount of stick movement required in that aircraft between slats fully opened and closed. Admittedly I did a horrible job at it as the camera moves all over the place but the last 5 seconds is intended to show the amount of stick travel required.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vbqgfjyW2Q

Here is the first part of your pilots quote....

"- How often did the slats in the leading edge of the wing slam open without warning?
They were exteneded always suddenly but not unexpectedly. They did not operate in high speed but in low speed. One could make them go out and in by moving the stick back and forth. When turning one slat functioned ahead of the other one, but that did not affect the steering. In a battle situation one could pull a little more if the slats had come out. They had a positive effect of the slow speed handling characteristics of the Messerschmitt.

http://www.virtualpilots.fi/feature/...09myths/#slats

Look at that, same control I used in my aircraft! No slat button or lever though!!

You can easily control the amount of slat you deploy with some practice. That being said, my first solo flight I almost jumped out of my skin when they deployed on approach. If you are not used to it and you move the wing rapidly through the AoA required to open the slots, they can open with a bang. I thought something fell off the aircraft at first.