Book Category: Flight Operations

What is a Spin? Reference: AC 61-67 A spin is an aggravated stall that results in autorotation. The airplane remains stalled, descending rapidly in a helical path, rotating about a vertical axis. The spinning motion involves simultaneous rolling, yawing, and pitching. A straight-wing aircraft’s spin is characterized primarily by the rolling motion with moderate yaw. […]

What is a Secondary Stall? A secondary stall is a stall that occurs during the recovery from a primary stall. It happens when the pilot attempts to recover but improperly manages the AOA, causing the airplane to enter a second stall before returning to controlled flight. This typically results from overly aggressive or premature control […]

What is an Elevator Trim Stall? Elevator trim stalls occur when power is applied and positive control of the airplane is not maintained. Such a situation may happen during a go-around, where the combined forces of thrust, torque, and nose-up trim make the nose rise sharply and turn to the left. Without immediate and positive […]

What is a Cross-Controlled Stall? A cross-controlled stall occurs when the critical AOA is exceeded while the ailerons and rudder are applied in opposite directions. This results in uncoordinated flight and can lead to an abrupt wing drop, nose pitch-down, and roll toward an inverted attitude. The maneuver may develop into a spin if not […]

What is an Accelerated Stall? An airplane can stall at a higher indicated airspeed when the airplane is subject to an acceleration greater than +1G. Stalls encountered any time the G-load exceeds +1G are accelerated maneuver stalls. Accelerated stalls tend to be more rapid or severe than unaccelerated stalls. They can surprise an inexperienced pilot […]

What is a Power-Off Stall? Power-off stalls simulate an accidental stall occurring during an approach to landing. They are practiced with the wings level or in moderately banked turns. When do Power-Off Stalls Occur? Power-off turning stalls most commonly occur during a turn from the base leg to the final approach. Straight-ahead stalls can occur […]

What is a Power-On Stall? Power-on stalls simulate an accidental stall during takeoff, climb, go-around, or when trying to clear an obstacle. They are practiced with the wings level or in moderately banked turns. When do Power-On Stalls Occur? Power-on stalls most commonly occur after takeoff and during go-arounds. Power-on stall accidents can occur due […]

What is Slow Flight? Maneuvering during slow flight involves flying the aircraft at a speed just above the stall speed while maintaining controlled flight. The maneuver requires precise handling to avoid stalling while making turns, climbs, and descents at slow speeds. Special Emphasis Items Related: Bodily Sensations Experienced Target Airspeed for Slow Flight References: SAFO […]

What are Eights on Pylons? Eights on pylons is a ground maneuver that involves flying in a figure 8 pattern around two selected points on the ground. The ground reference points are called pylons. No attempt is made to hold a constant altitude or a uniform distance from the pylons. Instead, altitude is varied to […]

What are Turns Around a Point? Turns around a point is a ground reference maneuver that involves flying the airplane in a 360° constant-radius turn around a single ground reference point. The bank angle is adjusted to compensate for the wind, resulting in a constant radius turn. Indicated airspeed and altitude are held constant during […]