The Marriage Between the Amateur Pilots and Stalled Airplanes

The Marriage Between the Amateur Pilots and Stalled Airplanes By Chet Val

Amateur pilots deliberately stalling an aircraft? Yes, it's a common occurrence and an essential aspect of every pilot's training. The stall can be mild and the stall can be fairly dramatic depending on the student pilot who is just learning stall recovery. People with limited knowledge of aircraft or possibly no familiarity with aviation at all, sometimes misinterpret the term stalled airplane to mean that the engine has stalled. A stall in relation to aviation and aircraft is defined as a reduction in the lifting force generated by an airfoil or wing. This happens as the angle of attack increases beyond what is called the critical angle of attack. The angle of attack is the coefficient of the airfoil or wing in relation to relative wind. The critical angle of attack may vary significantly depending on the design of the airfoil or wing. This is the point where the relative wind becomes disrupted to a point where the airfoil or wing ceases to provide the lift it was designed to produce. Without lift being generated by the airfoil or wing, the force of gravity overcomes the aircraft causing it to descend towards earth. The exact definition of the word stall in relation to aviation is continually debated by pilots and engineers, but simply put, a stalled aircraft loses its ability to fly.

Amateur pilots in training are taught to purposely stall the aircraft in multiple configurations or scenarios, and then initiate a recovery. Stall recovery is mandatory for every pilot's survival regardless of the airplane being flown. Two different scenarios where real life stalls most often happen are on final approach during a landing and on the climbout following a takeoff. The maneuver meant to simulate a stall on final approach while landing is called a power off stall. Typically low airspeeds during the landing sequence can increase the risk of a stall near ground level and in the final moments before landing. The power off stall is designed to teach the student to recover the aircraft before it noses into the ground causing serious injury or death. It is critical to every pilot to understand and practice recovery. The power on stall is a simulation of an aircraft taking off and possibly climbing with too much pitch. This maneuver is practiced using full throttle just as the pilot would use on takeoff. Recovery from this situation is also critical to every amateur pilot's continued existence. Another reason for airplane stalls could be wind based. Wind shear, a sudden change in wind direction or wind speed, could wreak havoc on an airplane at any time during flight however it is more common near the ground where landings and takeoffs obviously take place.

Amateur pilots are tested on their stall recovery skills during their checkride. The checkride is the final test required to earn a private pilot certificate. It consists of an oral test combined with a practical, or performance test. Knowledge and understanding of stalls and stall avoidance are always part of the oral exam. The ability to demonstrate successful stall recovery to the examiner while flying the airplane is also required to receive a private pilot certificate. Amateur pilots are always encouraged to practice stall recovery long past the test day. In the unlikely event of an actual stall while in flight, readiness and the ability to recover can be the difference between life and death of pilot and passengers.

Chet owns and operates Eye of the Pilot, an amateur pilot network dedicated to sharing the experience of general aviation and the adventure of being an amateur private pilot. You can visit Eye of the Pilot to view flight videos and aerial aviation pictures submitted by members. Account signup is always free to our amateur pilots network.

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