FAA Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA)Flight Maneuvers and EndorsementsHard
A flight instructor demonstrates an accelerated stall to a commercial pilot applicant. Which statement best describes this maneuver?
- AThe stall occurs at a slower airspeed than the normal 1G stall speed
- BThe maneuver is identical to a cross-controlled stall in all respects
- CThe maneuver can only be demonstrated with flaps fully extended
- DThe stall occurs at a higher airspeed than the normal 1G stall speed due to increased load factor
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. The stall occurs at a higher airspeed than the normal 1G stall speed due to increased load factor
An accelerated stall occurs at an airspeed higher than the normal 1G stall speed because increased load factor (from a steep turn or abrupt pull-up) raises the stall speed. Stall speed increases with the square root of the load factor, so the wing exceeds its critical angle of attack sooner even though airspeed is higher than the unaccelerated stall speed.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This describes the opposite effect—accelerated stalls occur at higher, not lower, speeds.
- B. A cross-controlled stall involves uncoordinated flight and is a distinct maneuver from an accelerated stall.
- C. Accelerated stalls can be demonstrated in various configurations, not only with flaps extended.
Accelerated Stall
A stall that occurs at a higher airspeed than the normal 1G stall speed due to an increased load factor, typically demonstrated in a steep turn with increasing back-pressure.
- Stall speed increases with the square root of load factor
- Demonstrated to show danger of abrupt pull-ups or steep turns at low altitude
- Requires prompt recovery to avoid excessive altitude loss or secondary stall
Memory trick: 'More Gs, more speed needed to stall' is the accelerated stall rule.