Stall recovery is a fundamental skill for flight safety, especially for microlight, general and commercial aviation pilots. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has developed detailed guidelines to effectively deal with stall situations, emphasizing the importance of practical training and human factors management.
What is the stalemate?
Stall occurs when the aircraft’s angle of attack (AOA) exceeds a critical value, causing a loss of lift. This can happen at any speed or altitude and is a major cause of Loss of Control In-flight (LoC-I), especially in light aviation.
Fundamentals of Stall Recovery
According to EASA guidelines, the stall recovery strategy is based on some key principles:
- Angle of Attack (AOA) Reduction: Applying elevator input to lower the nose of the aircraft, thereby reducing the AOA.
- Power Management: Apply as much power as necessary to increase the aircraft’s energy, taking into account that in some cases it may be necessary to reduce power if applying power induces a pitch-up effect.
- Wing Leveling: Use the ailerons to return the aircraft to level flight, avoiding sudden movements that could lead to a secondary stall.
- Stabilizing Flight: After recovering from a stall, stabilize the flight path using appropriate trim and power settings.
Simplified recovery techniques
To facilitate the memorization and application of procedures in stressful situations, mnemonic techniques have been developed such as:
- PARE: Power (power at idle), Ailerons (neutral ailerons), Rudder (rudder opposite to rotation), Elevator (push elevator forward).
- Push-Roll-Power: Push to reduce AOA, Roll to level the wings, Apply power to increase the aircraft’s energy.
These techniques help pilots react quickly and safely during a stall.
The role of technology: viaair.it as a pilot’s ally
In addition to training, technology can be instrumental in preventing stalls . The viaair.it platform , specialized in monitoring and analyzing flight parameters in real time, offers advanced tools to support pilots in managing training safely, monitoring stalls and unusual maneuvers:
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Critical Speed Detection : viaair.it is able to continuously monitor the minimum speed and maximum structural speed, providing a constant indication of the safety margin.
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Real-time warning : If the aircraft approaches critical stall conditions (for example, flying near minimum speed with a nose-up attitude or in a turn), the system can send warning signals to operators on the ground.
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Post-flight analysis : Each flight is recorded and analyzed, allowing us to identify risky patterns or behaviors that could anticipate a stall situation.
- Flap Management During Training: During training, it is essential to verify and ensure that student pilots correctly manage the position of the flaps in relation to the speed of the aircraft, especially during the critical phases of take-off and landing.
Aircraft are equipped with maximum allowable speeds for each flap configuration, known as V_FE (“Velocity for Flap Extension”). It is therefore essential that the flap position is always compatible with the flight speed to ensure:
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Optimal aerodynamic performance , allowing for the correct balance between lift and drag.
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Structural safety , avoiding excessive stresses that could damage the control surfaces.
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Correct flight management , essential during the approach and take-off phases, to maintain control and stability of the aircraft. Incorrect management of the flap-speed combination can lead to dangerous situations, such as sudden detachment of lift (stall) or mechanical damage to the moving surfaces.
These features make viaair.it a valuable tool for both training and day-to-day flight operations, helping instructors improve student pilot training safely.
Stall prevention and recovery are not just based on the instinctive reaction of the pilot, but on training, awareness and technology. By following EASA guidelines and integrating solutions such as those offered by viaair.it , a much safer flight environment can be built, where the risk of stalling is recognized, understood and managed in a timely manner.
SOURCE: EASA