Sport Pilot (Airplane) Power off Stalls Lesson Plan
Sport Pilot (Airplane) • PTS Area VIII, Task B
The Sport Pilot (Airplane) Power-Off Stalls Lesson Plan covers the knowledge and skills required by FAA-S-8081-29A.
Introduction
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Schedule:
Topic:Time:Attention/Motivator:0:05Part 1, Lesson Introduction:0:05Part 2, Power-Off Stalls:1:15Part 3, Power-Off Stalls Risk Management:1:15Part 4, Power-Off 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:
- Power-off stalls simulate a stall during the normal approach to landing
- Should be set up in the landing configuration
- Recoveries therefore train a pilot to make prompt, positive, and effective recoveries with a minimum loss of altitude
- This stall may occur while descending in an actual or simulated emergency or in any power-off situation when airspeed is not controlled
- Power-off stalls simulate a stall during the normal approach to landing
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:
- Weather and Atmosphere Supplement.
- Mountain Flying Supplement.
- Pilot Logbooks Supplement.
- Air Masses and Weather Fronts Supplement.
- Clouds in the Aviation Environment Supplement.
- Turbulence Supplement.
- Thunderstorms Supplement.
- Microbursts Supplement.
- Icing in the Aviation Environment Supplement.
- Aviation Fog Supplement.
- Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) Supplement.
- Terminal Area Forecast (TAF) Supplement.
- Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA) Supplement.
- Surface Analysis Chart Supplement.
- Winds and Temperatures Aloft Supplement.
- Convective Outlook Supplement.
- In-Flight Weather Advisories Supplement.
- Pilot Reports Supplement.
- Preflight Briefing Supplement.
- Federal Aviation Regulations Part 91.
- Advisory Circular (91-92) Pilot's Guide to a Preflight Briefing.
- Aeronautical Information Manual.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Airman Certification Standards:
- Hard copies of the ACS and Oral Exam Guides are available on Amazon.
- Digital copies of the ACS are available on the FAA's website.
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-Off Stalls:
- Part 3, Power-Off 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-Off 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 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
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
Sport Pilot (Airplane) Power off Stalls Practical Test Standards
- Source: FAA-S-8081-29A, Section 1 - Sport Pilot Airplane.
- Task: POWER-OFF STALLS (ASEL and ASES).
- References: AC 61-67; FAA-H-8083-3; AFM/POH.
- Objective: To determine that the applicant:
Objective Elements 8 PTS Elements
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SP.1: Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to power-off stalls. -
SP.2: Selects an entry altitude consistent with safety, which allows the TASK to be completed no lower than 1,000 feet AGL. -
SP.3: Establishes a stabilized descent in the approach or landing configuration, as specified by the evaluator. -
SP.4: Transitions smoothly from the approach or landing attitude to a pitch attitude that will induce a stall. -
SP.5: Maintains a specified heading, ±10°, in straight flight; maintains a specified angle of bank not to exceed 20°, ±10°; in turning flight, while inducing the stall. -
SP.6: Recognizes and recovers promptly after the stall occurs by simultaneously reducing the angle of attack, increasing power to maximum allowable, and leveling the wings to return to a straight- and-level flight attitude with a minimum loss of altitude appropriate for the airplane. -
SP.7: Retracts the flaps to the recommended setting, after a positive rate-of-climb is establishes. (ASES) -
SP.8: Accelerates to V or V speed and/or the appropriate pitch attitude before the final flap retraction; X Y returns to the altitude, heading, and airspeed/appropriate pitch attitude specified by the evaluator.
Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
- Power Off 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 Off 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.