A transport aircraft encounters wake turbulence and enters a nose-high, high-pitch-attitude upset at high altitude with decreasing airspeed. According to standard jet upset recovery technique, what is the correct initial approach to thrust and pitch?
- AImmediately extend flaps to increase stall margin before making any pitch adjustment
- BApply maximum thrust immediately and hold the pitch attitude to arrest altitude loss
- CExtend speed brakes and simultaneously increase thrust to maintain airspeed and pitch attitude
- DReduce thrust as appropriate (since added thrust from underslung engines can increase pitch-up) and reduce angle of attack toward the horizon, using bank if needed to unload the wing
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Reduce thrust as appropriate (since added thrust from underslung engines can increase pitch-up) and reduce angle of attack toward the horizon, using bank if needed to unload the wing
In a nose-high upset, adding thrust on underslung-engine aircraft creates an additional nose-up pitching moment, worsening the situation. Standard recovery technique calls for managing thrust appropriately, reducing angle of attack (unloading the wing) toward the horizon, and using bank angle if necessary to help lower the nose, rather than fighting to hold pitch or attempting to increase speed with high AOA.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Extending flaps at high altitude/speed in an upset is inappropriate and not part of standard recovery technique.
- B. Adding max thrust with underslung engines can worsen the nose-up pitching moment in this scenario.
- C. Speed brakes with increased thrust is contradictory and does not address the AOA/pitch problem.
Jet Upset Recovery (Nose-High)
A recovery technique for nose-high upsets emphasizing appropriate thrust management, reducing angle of attack, and using bank if needed to unload the wing and lower the nose toward the horizon.
- Underslung engines add nose-up pitch moment with thrust increase
- Priority is reducing AOA (unloading the wing), not holding pitch
- Bank angle can be used purposefully to help lower the nose
Memory trick: Nose too high? Unload the wing, don't just gun the engines.