For the slow learners (ME)
If a guy wants to slow a plane down and has already used the smallest recomended engine, how would you do this ??

Are we talking in flight or landing ?
Have a goodun,John.

Find ways to lighten it up. That'll help, but it might not be noticeable. If you're finding yourself wanting a slow-flying plane, I think the real solution is to buy one that's designed to fly slowly. Something along the lines of a Dynaflite Butterfly. What kind of plane is it that you're trying to slow down?

Yes, knowing what kind of plane you're talking about will help. There are several options available. Changing CG or adding flaps come to mind, but again, the planes configuration will be a determining factor.

Guys, I didn't have a specific plane in mind. I was thinking along the lines of high wing civillian classics. Cubs, L-5, etc. I was wondering on the effects of larger props at low rpms, etc as ways to slow the plane.

It also just came to mind, (told you I was slow) that the smallest engine at low rpm will STALL the plane. So slow is a relative of design and weight. Still curious about how props affect flight with the engine unchanged. Thanks for your answers and puttin' up with me.

A larger prop with less pitch WILL have a breaking action so to speak, But, as you said yourself, a plane can't fly below it's stall speed. That's where other factors come in to play. Moving the CG back will decrease the stall speed, but there's a limit there too. The next thing would be to add flaps and/or slats. I have a 40 sized Ultra Sport that I added flaps to (in case you're not familiar with the US40, it is a very fast plane) when I drop the flaps, it is almost comical how slow I can get it to fly. It will fly slower than my Piper Cub!

A friend had a GP ElectriCub that he converted to glow. It'd creep around nice and slowly, having something like a 52" wing with an OS .10fp on the nose. It was nice and light, and quite relaxing to fly. His brother built a Cub off the same plans, and put a .25 in the nose. He'd built it a bit heavier, and it was a fun plane to watch. After its demise he built another, this time beefing up the structure a bit more and putting an OS .46fx in the nose for some reason. What a dog. Took off in 10 feet, but with all the extra weight the stall speed was so high it was awful to land. That particular Cub didn't last long.

Not that there's any real correlation, but that first Cub last 12 years, the second a couple of seasons, and the third a couple of agrivating months.

Flying Slow.....

That's a relative term.

But if you are looking for an airplane that is capable of flying in the 4-10 mph. Electric Slowflyers would fit the bill

GWS ditributed by horizon makes a Tigermoth that stalls at 4mph
does 7mph in striaght level flight and about 10mph in a dive anything faster and the wings tend to fold.

This type of airplane might be for you. BTW the also fly indoors and can be flown in the average size backyard

Great Planes has designed a great slow flyer with an "Old Timer" look called the SlowPoke. In a 10Kph (6Mph) wind, I was flying it backwards. I could have performed a harrier type landing...

Also, somewhere I have instructions detailing how to tame a "hot" plane by increasing the wing and tail area in the appropriate proportions. Works good if you don't care about maintaining the current looks. Once you've learned to fly, you can then remove the extensions and return the plane to it's original specifications.

plane with lots of drag will fly slow ,longer prop with less pitch,blunt leading edge on wing and stab.blunt front of plane,no spinner,flaps or air brakes.
Have a goodun,John.

Sounds stupid, but get a fun fly. they fly slowely, have the responce to react at normal speeds at slow airspeed and when you get bored of that open the throttle and have fun. i've got a Diamond Dust Unlimited with a FAT flat bottom section, in a breeze it flys backwards. use a nice light powerful 36 size engine with a 11x3 or 10x4 prop. MAster airscrew props work best at low speed.
Personaly i'd get the Lill Rippy, light, strong, cheap.
either that, or build a fatter wing for a cub and add lightness