Prepare for: Power-On Stalls (Departure)
Simulating a stall during takeoff or departure climb with at least 65% power, then recovering.
Your CFI's syllabus and your airplane's POH come first. This page is a general study aid to help you show up prepared.
What you'll do
- Clear the area; plan to finish no lower than 1,500 ft AGL.
- Slow to near liftoff speed, set the takeoff configuration, then apply the assigned power (at least 65%).
- Raise the nose smoothly to a high pitch attitude, with plenty of right rudder for P-factor.
- At the stall: lower the nose, level the wings, keep power, stay coordinated, and climb at VX or VY.
The standard you'll be held to
Quoted from the current FAA Airman Certification Standards for each level that tests this.
Private Pilot ACS (FAA-S-ACS-6C)Task PA.VII.C · Power-On Stalls
- Clear the area.
- Select an entry altitude that allows the Task to be completed no lower than 1,500 feet above ground level (AGL) (ASEL, ASES) or 3,000 feet AGL (AMEL, AMES).
- Establish the takeoff, departure, or cruise configuration, as specified by the evaluator, and maintain coordinated flight throughout the maneuver.
- Set power (as assigned by the evaluator) to no less than 65 percent power.
- Transition smoothly from the takeoff or departure attitude to the pitch attitude that induces a stall.
- Maintain a specified heading, ±10° if in straight flight; maintain a specified angle of bank not to exceed 20°, ±10° if in turning flight, while inducing the stall.
- Acknowledge cues of the impending stall and then recover promptly after a full stall occurs.
- Execute a stall recovery in accordance with procedures set forth in the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH)/Flight Manual (FM).
- Configure the airplane as recommended by the manufacturer, and accelerate to best angle of climb speed (VX) or best rate of climb speed (VY).
- Return to the altitude, heading, and airspeed specified by the evaluator.
- Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.
Commercial Pilot ACS (FAA-S-ACS-7B)Task CA.VII.C · Power-On Stalls
- Clear the area.
- Select an entry altitude that allows the Task to be completed no lower than 1,500 feet above ground level (AGL) (ASEL, ASES) or 3,000 feet AGL (AMEL, AMES).
- Establish the takeoff, departure, or cruise configuration, as specified by the evaluator, and maintain coordinated flight throughout the maneuver.
- Set power to no less than 65 percent power.
- Transition smoothly from the takeoff or departure attitude to the pitch attitude that induces a stall.
- Maintain a specified heading ±10° if in straight flight; maintain a specified angle of bank not to exceed 20°, ±10° if in turning flight, until an impending or full stall is reached, as specified by the evaluator.
- Acknowledge the cues at the first indication of a stall (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.).
- Recover at the first indication of a stall or after a full stall has occurred, as specified by the evaluator.
- Configure the airplane as recommended by the manufacturer, and accelerate to best angle of climb speed (VX) or best rate of climb speed (VY).
- Return to the altitude, heading, and airspeed specified by the evaluator.
Read it in the FAA handbooks
The official chapters behind this page. Each link opens the exact chapter, free on faa.gov. See the full Study Library.
Prepare the night before
- Expect a steep nose-high attitude: chair-fly the right rudder you'll need.
- Review why stall speed rises in turns.
Common mistakes
- Not enough right rudder, so a wing drops at the break.
- Pulling the nose up so fast it's an accelerated stall.
- Hesitating to lower the nose.
Questions to ask your instructor
- How much right rudder should I expect in this airplane?
- What bank angle for turning stalls?
Related lessons
Check yourself
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