In a stall recovery, what is the initial control input?

In a stall recovery, what is the initial control input?

• A. Bank wings level
• B. Nose down pitch control...Apply
• C. Pull up to gain altitude
• D. Apply full flaps

Answer: (B)

The initial action in a stall recovery is to push the nose down to reduce angle of attack. When the wing exceeds its critical angle, lift collapses and the airplane begins to stall or sink. By applying nose-down pitch, you lower the angle of attack, which allows the wing to regain lift and the airplane to recover from the stall. Once the nose is lowered and a positive rate of climb or level flight is reestablished, you can re-trim, roll wings level if needed, and apply power as appropriate to continue safe flight. The other options aren’t the first step: simply banking wings level doesn’t address the immediate excessive angle of attack; pulling the nose up would only deepen the stall; and applying full flaps can maintain a high angle of attack and increase drag, delaying recovery.

The initial action in a stall recovery is to push the nose down to reduce angle of attack. When the wing exceeds its critical angle, lift collapses and the airplane begins to stall or sink. By applying nose-down pitch, you lower the angle of attack, which allows the wing to regain lift and the airplane to recover from the stall. Once the nose is lowered and a positive rate of climb or level flight is reestablished, you can re-trim, roll wings level if needed, and apply power as appropriate to continue safe flight.

The other options aren’t the first step: simply banking wings level doesn’t address the immediate excessive angle of attack; pulling the nose up would only deepen the stall; and applying full flaps can maintain a high angle of attack and increase drag, delaying recovery.