A stall occurs when the smooth airflow over
the airplane’s wing is disrupted, and the lift degenerates
rapidly. This is caused when the wing exceeds its critical angle
of attack. This can occur at any airspeed, in any attitude,
with any power setting. [figure4-2]
The practice of stall recovery and the development
of awareness of stalls are of primary importance in pilot training.
The objectives in performing intentional stalls are to familiarize
the pilot with the conditions that produce stalls, to assist
in recognizing an approaching stall, and to develop the habit
of taking prompt preventive or corrective action.
Intentional stalls should be performed at an
altitude that will provide adequate height above the ground
for recovery and return to normal level flight. Though it depends
on the degree to which a stall has progressed, most stalls require
some loss of altitude during recovery. The longer it takes to
recognize the approaching stall, the more complete the stall
is likely to become, and the greater the loss of altitude to
be expected.
