The Common Mistakes Pilots Make During Stall Recovery
In the realm of aviation, a stall refers to an aerodynamic condition in which lift is lost as a result of the disruption of smooth airflow over wings. As stalling is a very hazardous condition that can lead to an accident, it is important that pilots have ample training on how to recover themselves when it occurs. While understanding the basics of stall recovery is essential, it is also highly useful to be aware of the most common mistakes that pilots make during such procedures.
During a banking turn, it is possible that the lowered wing will face a stall. When this occurs, one may think it best to utilize the ailerons to maintain orientation. While this may be an optimal method during standard flight, increasing the angle-of-attack (AOA) on each wingtip with the ailerons during a stall can potentially cause aileron deflection to surpass the critical AOA. When this occurs, the entire wing will stall as the aircraft begins to roll in the direction of the higher AOA.
Back pressure is another concern during stall recovery, that of which should be gradually added to the elevator during a steep level flight turn. If a significant amount of back pressure is added to the elevator, a secondary stall may occur due to an excessive angle-of-attack. If this happens during a recovery, the nose should be lowered while power is gradually added before attempting the stall recovery again.
In general, the primary method of recovering from a stall is to reduce the angle-of-attack of all affected flight surfaces, though it is important that decreases in altitude are controlled and minimal. Typically, one will want to slowly release back-pressure while increasing energy, and once the aircraft is ready, a climb may be attempted again. During such procedures, a pilot should not lose hundreds or thousands of feet of altitude, and pointing the nose straight down to decrease the aircraft’s AOA is unsafe.
While conducting any recovery, the heading of the aircraft should be governed with the use of rudder pedal controls from within the cockpit. During the recovery, asymmetric thrust will often cause the aircraft to begin turning left, and the pilot can utilize the right rudder pedal to counteract such forces to maintain alignment. It is also important to keep the nose straight forward during the recovery process as well. Alongside management of the rudder pedal, pilots should also ensure that the throttle is used to apply full power in a smooth fashion.
The last major mistake that pilots make during a stall is how they fly the aircraft before, during, and after recovery. Whenever a stall occurs, it is paramount that the pilot maintains coordinated flight. With the use of rudder pedals, ailerons, and other flight control surfaces, pilots should correct undesirable forces, turns, and more. If a pilot remains uncoordinated throughout a stall, they have a chance of entering a spin which is highly dangerous.
With proper stall recovery training and a reliable aircraft, pilots can keep themselves safe during flight operations. ASAP NSN Hub is a website owned and operated by ASAP Semiconductor, and we are a leading distributor of aircraft parts, NSN components, electronics, and much more. With over 2 billion items ready for purchase, take the time to explore our catalogs as you see fit. With our online RFQ service, customers can rapidly request quotes for their comparisons with ease, and responses are always provided within 15 minutes of receiving a completed form. Kickstart the purchasing process today and see how ASAP NSN Hub can fulfill all your part requirements with time and cost savings for your benefit.
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