diff --git a/examples/check-controllability-and-observability.py b/examples/check-controllability-and-observability.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ea3254911
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/check-controllability-and-observability.py
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+""" check-controllability-and-observability.py
+
+Example to check the controllability and the observability of a state space system.
+RMM, 6 Sep 2010
+"""
+
+from scipy import *  # Load the scipy functions
+from control.matlab import *  # Load the controls systems library
+
+# Parameters defining the system
+m = 250.0  # system mass
+k = 40.0  # spring constant
+b = 60.0  # damping constant
+
+# System matrices
+A = matrix([[1, -1, 1.],
+            [1, -k / m, -b / m],
+            [1, 1, 1]])
+
+B = matrix([[0],
+            [1 / m],
+            [1]])
+
+C = matrix([[1., 0, 1.]])
+
+sys = ss(A, B, C, 0)
+
+# Check controllability
+Wc = ctrb(A, B)
+print("Wc = ", Wc)
+
+# Check Observability
+Wo = obsv(A, C)
+print("Wo = ", Wo)
diff --git a/examples/slicot-test.py b/examples/slicot-test.py
deleted file mode 100644
index f14e2995c..000000000
--- a/examples/slicot-test.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,26 +0,0 @@
-# Simple test function to test out SLICOT interface
-# RMM, 28 May 09
-
-import numpy as np              # Numerical library
-from scipy import *             # Load the scipy functions
-from control.matlab import *    # Load the controls systems library
-
-# Parameters defining the system
-m = 250.0			# system mass
-k = 40.0			# spring constant
-b = 60.0			# damping constant
-
-# System matrices
-A = matrix([[1, -1, 1.], [1, -k/m, -b/m], [1, 1, 1]])
-B = matrix([[0], [1/m], [1]])
-C = matrix([[1., 0, 1.]])
-sys = ss(A, B, C, 0);
-
-# Eigenvalue placement
-#from slycot import sb01bd
-K = place(A, B, [-3, -2, -1])
-print "Pole place: K = ", K
-print "Pole place: eigs = ", np.linalg.eig(A - B * K)[0]
-
-# from slycot import ab01md
-# Ac, Bc, ncont, info = ab01md('I', A, B)
diff --git a/examples/slycot-import-test.py b/examples/slycot-import-test.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7e4f0d9a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/slycot-import-test.py
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+""" slycot-import-test.py
+
+Simple example script to test Slycot import
+RMM, 28 May 09
+"""
+
+import numpy as np
+from scipy import *
+from control.matlab import *
+from control.exception import slycot_check
+
+# Parameters defining the system
+m = 250.0  # system mass
+k = 40.0  # spring constant
+b = 60.0  # damping constant
+
+# System matrices
+A = np.matrix([[1, -1, 1.], [1, -k / m, -b / m], [1, 1, 1]])
+B = np.matrix([[0], [1 / m], [1]])
+C = np.matrix([[1., 0, 1.]])
+sys = ss(A, B, C, 0)
+
+# Python control may be used without slycot, for example for a pole placement.
+# Eigenvalue placement
+w = [-3, -2, -1]
+K = place(A, B, w)
+print("[python-control (from scipy)] K = ", K)
+print("[python-control (from scipy)] eigs = ", np.linalg.eig(A - B * K)[0])
+
+# Before using one of its routine, check that slycot is installed.
+w = np.array([-3, -2, -1])
+if slycot_check():
+    # Import routine sb01bd used for pole placement.
+    from slycot import sb01bd
+
+    n = 3  # Number of states
+    m = 1  # Number of inputs
+    npp = 3 # Number of placed eigen values
+    alpha = 1 # Maximum threshold for eigen values
+    dico = 'D'  # Discrete system
+    _, _, _, _, _, K, _ = sb01bd(n, m, npp, alpha, A, B, w, dico, tol=0.0, ldwork=None)
+    print("[slycot] K = ", K)
+    print("[slycot] eigs = ", np.linalg.eig(A + np.dot(B, K))[0])
+else:
+    print("Slycot is not installed.")
diff --git a/examples/test-statefbk.py b/examples/test-statefbk.py
deleted file mode 100644
index b7467bc7e..000000000
--- a/examples/test-statefbk.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,27 +0,0 @@
-# test-statefbk.py - Unit tests for state feedback code
-# RMM, 6 Sep 2010
-
-import numpy as np              # Numerical library
-from scipy import *             # Load the scipy functions
-from control.matlab import *    # Load the controls systems library
-
-# Parameters defining the system
-m = 250.0			# system mass
-k = 40.0			# spring constant
-b = 60.0			# damping constant
-
-# System matrices
-A = matrix([[1, -1, 1.], [1, -k/m, -b/m], [1, 1, 1]])
-B = matrix([[0], [1/m], [1]])
-C = matrix([[1., 0, 1.]])
-sys = ss(A, B, C, 0);
-
-# Controllability
-Wc = ctrb(A, B)
-print "Wc = ", Wc
-
-# Observability
-Wo = obsv(A, C)
-print "Wo = ", Wo
-
-
diff --git a/examples/tfvis.py b/examples/tfvis.py
index 7929f7023..e0c9b1e8e 100644
--- a/examples/tfvis.py
+++ b/examples/tfvis.py
@@ -348,7 +348,7 @@ def redraw(self):
             tvec, yvec = control.matlab.step(self.sys)
             plt.plot(tvec.T, yvec)
         except:
-            print "Error plotting step response"
+            print("Error plotting step response")
         plt.suptitle('Step Response')
 
         self.canvas_pzmap.show()