Private Pilot (Airplane) Power On Stalls Lesson Plan
Private Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area VII, Task C
The Private Pilot (Airplane) Power-On Stalls Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with Power-On Stalls.
Introduction
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Schedule
Topic:Time:Attention/Motivator:0:05Part 1, Lesson Introduction:0:05Part 2, Power-On Stalls:1:15Part 3, Power-On Stalls Risk Management:1:15Part 4, Power-On Stalls Guided Scenario(s):0:20Part 5, Lesson Conclusion:0:05Remotivation/Closure:0:05Total Ground Time:0:00
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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
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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
- Power-on stalls simulate a stall from normal takeoff and departure
Materials
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Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Internet connection (computer, tablet, smartphone, etc.).
- Phone (for preflight briefing).
- Personal Weather Minimums Worksheet.
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
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Optional Materials:
- Pilot Operating Handbook, Electronic Flight Bag.
- Instructor endorsement log.
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Reference Materials:
- Airplane Stall and Recovery Procedures Supplement.
- Instructor Endorsement Log.
- Currency Supplement.
- Fitness for Flight Supplement.
- Visual Scanning and Collision Avoidance Supplement.
- Aeronautical Decision Making Supplement.
- Flight Deck Management Supplement.
- Stall Performance Supplement.
- Clearing Turns Supplement.
- Personal Weather Minimums Worksheet.
- AOPA's Online Learning Course - Weather or Not Thunderstorm Challenge.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Crew Resource Management Supplement.
Instructor Actions
- Before the lesson, review reference materials.
- Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
- Review the lesson plan, including the attention and motivator.
- Review the airman certification standards.
- Part 2, Power-On Stalls:
- Review the cause of stalls and what factors increase/decrease stall speed (AOA)
- Discuss power-on stalls.
- Discuss power-on stalls procedure.
- Discuss power-on stalls common errors.
- Part 3, Power-On Stalls Risk Management:
- Review currency vs. proficiency and how that plays into performing self-assessments.
- Review secondary stalls, accelerated stalls, elevator trim stalls, and cross-control stalls.
- Review collision hazards
- Review considerations when operating unfamiliar aircraft or avionics.
- Review flight deck management.
- Part 4, Power-On Stalls Guided Sceneario:
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- Part 5, Lesson Conclusion:
- Present the remotivation, conclude, and provide guidance for follow-on lessons.
- Review student actions required ahead of the next lesson.
- Update instructor endorsement records and the student's jacket, as required.
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 higher than normal angles of attack
- Discuss compounding hazards with go-arounds and density altitude
- In air, set a simulated field elevation at approximately 2000+ feet AGL
- Complete the power-on stall procedure, but allow time to stabilize in a climb
- 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
Student Actions
- Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
- Complete relevant knowledge checks:
- Complete relevant interactive scenarios:
- Complete a personal weather minimums worksheet.
- Complete or review AOPA's Online Learning Course - Weather or Not Thunderstorm Challenge.
- Ask pertinent questions.
- Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, as appropriate.
- Make a go/no-go decision, as appropriate.
Airman Certification Standards
Private Pilot (Airplane) Power On Stalls Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with power-on stalls
- 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
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PA.VII.C.K1: Aerodynamics associated with stalls in various airplane configurations, including the relationship between angle of attack, airspeed, load factor, power setting, airplane weight and center of gravity, airplane attitude, and yaw effects. -
PA.VII.C.K2: Stall characteristics as they relate to airplane design, and recognition impending stall and full stall indications using sight, sound, or feel. -
PA.VII.C.K3: -
PA.VII.C.K4:
Risk Management 8 ACS Elements
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PA.VII.C.R1: Factors and situations that could lead to an inadvertent power-on stall, spin, and loss of control. -
PA.VII.C.R2: Range and limitations of stall warning indicators (e.g., airplane buffet, stall horn, etc.). -
PA.VII.C.R3: Stall warning(s) during normal operations. -
PA.VII.C.R4: Stall recovery procedure. -
PA.VII.C.R5: -
PA.VII.C.R6: Effect of environmental elements on airplane performance related to power-on stalls (e.g., turbulence, microbursts, and high-density altitude). -
PA.VII.C.R7: -
PA.VII.C.R8:
Skills 11 ACS Elements
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PA.VII.C.S1: -
PA.VII.C.S2: Select an entry altitude that allows the Task to be completed no lower than 1,500 feet above ground level (AGL) (ASEL, ASES) or 3,000 feet AGL (AMEL, AMES). -
PA.VII.C.S3: Establish the takeoff, departure, or cruise configuration, as specified by the evaluator, and maintain coordinated flight throughout the maneuver. -
PA.VII.C.S4: Set power (as assigned by the evaluator) to no less than 65 percent power. -
PA.VII.C.S5: Transition smoothly from the takeoff or departure attitude to the pitch attitude that induces a stall. -
PA.VII.C.S6: Maintain a specified heading ±10°° if in straight flight; maintain a specified angle of bank not to exceed 20°, ±10° if in turning flight, while inducing the stall. -
PA.VII.C.S7: Acknowledge cues of the impending stall and then recover promptly after a full stall occurs. -
PA.VII.C.S8: Execute a stall recovery in accordance with procedures set forth in the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH)/Flight Manual (FM). -
PA.VII.C.S9: Configure the airplane as recommended by the manufacturer, and accelerate to best angle of climb speed (VX) or best rate of climb speed (VY). -
PA.VII.C.S10: Return to the altitude, heading, and airspeed specified by the evaluator. -
PA.VII.C.S11: Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.
Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
- Power on 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 Power on Stalls provides a foundation for the more precise and complex aircraft-control tasks encountered in later training.
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Closure:
- Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson.
- Assign study materials for the next lesson.