FAA Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA)Flight Maneuvers and EndorsementsMedium
An applicant practicing power-on stall recovery allows the airplane to fully stall. What is the correct first action to begin recovery?
- ARetract the flaps immediately to reduce drag
- BApply full power immediately while holding the current pitch attitude
- CReduce the angle of attack by releasing back-pressure and lowering pitch
- DLevel the wings using rudder only, without changing pitch
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Reduce the angle of attack by releasing back-pressure and lowering pitch
Per FAA guidance, the first step in stall recovery at the first indication of a stall (or full stall) is to reduce the angle of attack to break the stall, since power alone cannot recover from an exceeded critical angle of attack. Power is then added and wings leveled with coordinated control inputs.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Retracting flaps first can increase stall speed and induce a secondary stall.
- B. Adding power without reducing AOA can worsen a stall, especially with a high-power/low-airspeed configuration.
- D. Rudder alone will not resolve the stalled condition without first reducing angle of attack.
Stall Recovery Priority
The fundamental principle that reducing angle of attack must occur first in any stall recovery, regardless of power setting or configuration.
- Reduce AOA first to break the stall
- Then apply power to regain airspeed/altitude
- Level wings with coordinated aileron and rudder
- Avoid abrupt control inputs to prevent secondary stall
Memory trick: 'Nose first, power second' breaks every stall.