FAA Private Pilot Airplane (PAR)Aerodynamics and Aircraft SystemsMedium
A pilot is practicing steep turns and inadvertently increases back pressure too much. At what point will the wing actually stall?
- AWhen the bank angle exceeds 45 degrees
- BWhen the load factor exceeds 2 G's
- CWhen the critical angle of attack is exceeded, regardless of airspeed or attitude
- DWhen airspeed drops below the published clean stall speed
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. When the critical angle of attack is exceeded, regardless of airspeed or attitude
A stall occurs whenever the critical angle of attack is exceeded, which can happen at any airspeed, attitude, or load factor. Increased back pressure in a steep turn raises the angle of attack, and if it exceeds critical AOA, the wing stalls even though airspeed may be well above the normal 1G stall speed.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Bank angle by itself doesn't cause a stall; it's the resulting increase in angle of attack that matters.
- B. Load factor influences stall speed but is not itself the direct cause of the stall.
- D. Stall speed is not fixed; it increases with load factor, so airspeed alone doesn't determine stall.
Critical Angle of Attack
The angle of attack at which the wing produces maximum lift; exceeding it causes a stall regardless of airspeed.
- Stalls can occur at any airspeed or attitude
- Accelerated stalls occur above normal stall speed
- Load factor increases required lift and thus AOA in turns
- Recovery requires reducing angle of attack
Memory trick: It's the angle, not the speed, that stalls the wing.