Slow Flight, Steep Turns, and Stalls

As a private pilot, mastering maneuvers like slow flight, steep turns, and stalls is essential for building confidence and control over the aircraft. These maneuvers test your ability to operate the aircraft safely and efficiently in various situations. This guide provides an overview of these skills, including objectives, procedures, and tips for success.

1. Slow Flight

Slow flight teaches pilots how to maintain positive aircraft control near the edge of a stall. It improves awareness of the aircraft’s behavior at low speeds and develops precise control of pitch, power, and bank angle.

1.1 Objective

• Recognize and operate the aircraft in the region of reverse command (where power is used to control altitude, and pitch controls airspeed).
• Maintain a safe margin above a stall while performing basic maneuvers.

1.2 Procedure

1. Perform clearing turns to ensure the area is free of traffic.
2. Reduce power to approximately 1500 RPM (or as specified in the POH) and maintain altitude by gradually increasing pitch.
3. Extend flaps incrementally as airspeed decreases, if applicable.
4. Establish and maintain an airspeed just above the stall speed (Vs) or in the white arc (flap operating range).
5. Use small power adjustments to maintain altitude and pitch adjustments to control airspeed.
6. Perform shallow turns, climbs, or descents as directed by the examiner or instructor.
7. Recover by applying full power, retracting flaps incrementally, and lowering the nose to a climb attitude.

1.3 Tips for Success

• Maintain coordinated flight with rudder to avoid unintentional skids or slips.
• Focus on smooth control inputs—avoid abrupt changes in pitch or power.
• Always monitor airspeed and altitude to ensure you remain within safe margins.

2. Steep Turns

Steep turns develop a pilot’s ability to maintain precise control of the aircraft during high bank angles. These turns are typically performed at 45° of bank (for private pilots) and require coordination of pitch, power, and bank to maintain altitude and airspeed.

2.1 Objective

• Perform a 360° turn in both directions with a 45° bank angle.
• Maintain altitude, airspeed, and coordination throughout the turn.

2.2 Procedure

1. Perform clearing turns to ensure the area is free of traffic.
2. Select a reference point on the horizon to use as a visual guide during the turn.
3. Roll into a 45° bank turn while simultaneously adding back pressure on the yoke to maintain altitude.
4. Increase power slightly to compensate for the additional drag caused by the increased bank angle.
5. Maintain coordinated flight using rudder to prevent slipping or skidding.
6. Roll out on the original heading by reducing bank angle and easing off back pressure.

2.3 Tips for Success

• Pick a fixed reference point on the horizon to help maintain situational awareness and heading.
• Monitor your altitude and adjust pitch as needed to avoid losing or gaining altitude during the turn.
• Maintain coordinated control to avoid adverse yaw or uncoordinated flight.

3. Stalls

Stalls teach pilots how to recognize and recover from conditions where the wing exceeds its critical angle of attack, leading to a loss of lift. Understanding stalls is critical for preventing or recovering from inadvertent stalls during takeoff, landing, or other phases of flight.

3.1 Objective

• Recognize the signs of an impending stall (e.g., control buffeting, stall warning horn).
• Recover promptly and safely using proper techniques.

3.2 Types of Stalls

• Power-On Stalls: Simulates stalls during takeoff or climb-out. These are performed with high power settings and a nose-high attitude.
• Power-Off Stalls: Simulates stalls during approach or landing. These are performed with reduced power and flaps extended.

3.3 Procedure (Power-Off Stall)

1. Perform clearing turns to ensure the area is free of traffic.
2. Reduce power to idle while maintaining altitude, and extend flaps incrementally if applicable.
3. Gradually increase pitch to induce the stall.
4. Recognize the stall by buffeting, reduced control effectiveness, or stall warning horn activation.
5. Recover by lowering the nose, adding full power, and retracting flaps incrementally while maintaining coordinated flight.

3.4 Tips for Success

• Pay close attention to the stall warning horn or buffeting to anticipate the stall before it fully develops.
• Practice smooth and coordinated recovery techniques to minimize altitude loss.
• Monitor airspeed and avoid abrupt pitch changes during recovery.

4. Conclusion

Slow flight, steep turns, and stalls are foundational maneuvers for private pilots. They help develop critical skills in aircraft control, situational awareness, and recovery techniques. By practicing these maneuvers regularly, you’ll build confidence and proficiency, ensuring safer operations in all phases of flight.