Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Accelerated Stalls Lesson Plan

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area VII, Task D

The Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Accelerated Stalls Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with accelerated stalls (power-on or power-off).

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Accelerated Stalls Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Accelerated Stalls:
    0:15
    Part 3, Accelerated Stalls Guided Scenario(s):
    0:20
    Part 4, Lesson Conclusion:
    0:05
    Total Ground Time:
    0:00

  • Attention Getter:

    • Research and present a mishap case study:
    • Discuss how the initial conditions developed into an incident/accident/mishap
    • Relate similar personal experiences of the same type of incident/accident/mishap
    • Consider incorporating a case study as a guided scenario

  • Motivator:

    • Helps recognize the indications of an imminent or full stall during power-on situations with the landing gear down and to make prompt, positive, and effective recoveries with a minimum loss of altitude
    • Accelerated Stalls simulate a stall from normal takeoff and departure
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Accelerated Stalls Lesson Plan

Materials

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Accelerated Stalls Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Accelerated Stalls Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Ground:
    • Discuss hazards while operating at or below the traffic pattern altitude, relating hazards to the training airfield, as appropriate
    • Discuss reasons for shallowing descent on final approach (birds, another airplane, descending below glide slope, rising terrain, etc.)
    • Discuss compounding hazards with a base-to-final turn
  • In air, set a simulated field elevation at approximately 2500+ feet AGL
    • Complete the power-off stall procedure, but allow time to stabilize on a simulated approach
    • Provide the student with a reason to pull back on the elevator, note the altitude at which the student initates the stall
    • Upon recovery, note the altitude, and ensure safe recovery
    • While the student establishes a stabilized climb, note the altitude lost in the maneuver, and discuss the results
  • Discuss impacts of transponder being in the improper mode
  • Discuss clearing the area for takeoff and potential recognition time of someone on final if low-visibility
  • Related scenarios:
    • None
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Accelerated Stalls Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Accelerated Stalls Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Accelerated Stalls Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with accelerated stalls (power-on or power-off)
  • Note: See Appendix 2: Safety of Flight and Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task
  • References: AC 61-67; FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge); POH/AFM.
Knowledge 4 ACS Elements
Risk Management 8 ACS Elements
  • CA.VII.C.R1:
    Factors and situations that could lead to an inadvertent accelerated stall, spin, and loss of control.
  • CA.VII.C.R2:
    Range and limitations of stall warning indicators (e.g., airplane buffet, stall horn, etc.).
  • CA.VII.C.R3:
    Stall warning(s) during normal operations.
  • CA.VII.C.R4:
    Stall recovery procedure.
  • CA.VII.C.R5:
    Secondary stalls, cross-control stalls, and spins.
  • CA.VII.C.R6:
    Effect of environmental elements on airplane performance related to accelerated stalls (e.g., turbulence, microbursts, and high-density altitude).
  • CA.VII.C.R7:
    Collision hazards.
  • CA.VII.C.R8:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Skills 9 ACS Elements
  • CA.VII.C.S1:
    Clear the area.
  • CA.VII.C.S2:
    Select an entry altitude that allows the Task to be completed no lower than 3,000 feet above ground level (AGL).
  • CA.VII.C.S3:
    Establish the configuration as specified by the evaluator.
  • CA.VII.C.S4:
    Set power appropriate for the configuration, such that the airspeed does not exceed the maneuvering speed (VA) or any other applicable Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH)/Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) limitation.
  • CA.VII.C.S5:
    Establish and maintain a coordinated turn in a 45° bank, increasing elevator back pressure smoothly and firmly until an impending stall is reached.
  • CA.VII.C.S6:
    Acknowledge the cues at the first indication of a stall (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.).
  • CA.VII.C.S7:
    Acknowledge cues of the impending stall and then recover promptly after a full stall occurs.
  • CA.VII.C.S8:
    Configure the airplane as recommended by the manufacturer, and accelerate to best angle of climb speed (VX) or best rate of climb speed (VY).
  • CA.VII.C.S9:
    Return to the altitude, heading, and airspeed specified by the evaluator.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Accelerated Stalls Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Accelerated Stalls strengthens the coordination, energy awareness, and precise control needed to keep the airplane within safe aerodynamic limits.
    • Recognizing changes in angle of attack, load factor, control effectiveness, wind drift, and developing errors allows pilots to correct before safety margins disappear.
    • Structured practice builds visual awareness, aircraft feel, checklist discipline, and the judgment required to discontinue or recover when a maneuver becomes unstable.
    • Mastery of Accelerated Stalls provides a foundation for the more precise and complex aircraft-control tasks encountered in later training.

  • Closure:

    • Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson.
    • Assign study materials for the next lesson.