Flight Lesson 7

Stalls training including multiple cancelled and repeated lessons due to weather, full stall and stall-approach recovery techniques, theory, and reflections.
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Lesson 1.7 – Stalls Dates: 03-11-2025 · 30-01-2026 · 27-03-2026 · 03-04-2026

Introduction

This page contains all my notes for Lesson 1.7 – Stalls.

This was one of the hardest lessons so far, mainly due to the weather conditions in late 2025 and early 2026. The lesson was cancelled about five times, and on two occasions we were already airborne but had to abort because the weather deteriorated beyond the forecast.

For stalls training, the following weather conditions were required:

  • Flying at 3000 ft to ensure sufficient altitude for stall recovery
    • As VFR traffic, we must remain 1000 ft below cloud base
  • No significant weather
  • 10 km visibility
  • Wind ≤ 15 knots

As a result, this lesson was flown four times, but only the last two were fully valid stalls lessons. Due to time constraints and repetition, multiple sessions were required.

03-11-2025

The lesson was scheduled in the afternoon. Due to the transition from UTC+2 to UTC+1 (end of daylight saving time), darkness came earlier than usual.

Wind was around 14 knots, completely crosswind relative to the runway.

We completed the stalls briefing and theoretical explanation, performed pre‑flight checks, and departed. Shortly after take‑off it became clear that weather conditions would not allow a proper lesson.

After approximately 25 minutes airborne, we returned and scheduled a new flight.

30-01-2026

This was my first flight lesson in three months, after roughly four cancellations.

In the meantime, I successfully completed:

  • Radio Telephony (RT) rating
  • PPL Navigation theory exam
  • PPL Communication theory exam

Weather was again the limiting factor. It was a cold winter day with snow from earlier in the week, providing beautiful winter scenery.

At around 2000 ft (600 m) after take-off, we decided to abort the stall exercises due to an approaching cloud front. This resulted in a very nice airliner-like experience flying above the cloud layer before descending back to base for a smooth landing by my instructor.

27-03-2026

After another cancellation and a vacation period, the weather finally cooperated.

Conditions:

  • Stratiform cloud layer around 9700 ft
  • Good visibility

We reviewed stall theory and briefings, checked NOTAMs, aircraft status and risks, and refueled the aircraft.

The stall exercises improved with repetition. Initially, I was too gentle both with inducing the stall and during recovery. After approximately four repetitions, the execution was considered proficient by the instructor.

Exercises performed:

  • Stall recovery in clean (flapless) configuration
  • Stall recovery in approach configuration (20° flaps)

I learned that stalls can occur at any time, especially with reduced focus or during circuit flying. Fast and correct recovery is essential for the safety of both pilot and passengers.

03-04-2026

This was the second full stalls lesson.

Weather was slightly less favorable than the previous week but still good enough:

  • Crosswind ~8 knots
  • Cloud base around 7900 ft
  • Stratiform clouds

Exercises performed:

  • Stall recovery in clean (flapless) configuration
  • Stall recovery in approach configuration (20° flaps)
  • Stall recovery in landing configuration (30° flaps)

Recovery went better than the previous lesson, but several learning points remained:

  • A stall is recovered only by reducing the angle of attack
  • Do not immediately apply full throttle reflexively
  • Use rudder, not ailerons
  • Manage flaps carefully (flaps retract faster than extend in flight)
  • Pushing the yoke during recovery is natural — do not hesitate

Overall, the lesson went very well.
The crosswind take-off was the best so far, including crabbing technique, correct tracking, and altitude control. It remains a strange but fascinating sensation when heading and track differ due to wind.

Homework objectives for the next lesson:

  • Review taxi, take‑off and exercise briefings
  • Review exact RT phraseology

Stalls theory

A stall occurs when the wing exceeds its critical angle of attack, regardless of airspeed.

There are two main stages:

  • Stall approach
    • A stall is imminent, warning signs appear
  • Full stall
    • The stall occurs, with a noticeable aircraft reaction

Stall approach recovery

Symptoms of stall approach:

  1. Stall warning (≈ 5 knots before stall)
  2. Buffet — vibration due to disrupted airflow
  3. Airspeed near end of green arc (or white arc with flaps)

Immediate recovery actions:

  1. Release back pressure and apply slight forward pressure
  2. Apply full throttle
  3. Carburetor heat OFF
  4. Level the aircraft

⚠️ Important

Never use ailerons during stall recovery.
This worsens the asymmetrical angle of attack and reduces recovery effectiveness.

Follow-up checks (bottom‑to‑top, left scan):

  1. Fuel selector (both)
  2. Mixture rich
  3. Throttle
  4. Carburetor heat
  5. Ignition
  6. Magnetos
  7. Engine instruments (oil pressure/temp, CHT/EGT, ammeter, vacuum)

Outside checks (APOS):

  1. Altitude
  2. Position
  3. Orientation
  4. Sky 180° scan (traffic / weather)

Full stall recovery

A full stall may present as:

  1. Nose drop
  2. Wing drop (one side)
  3. Significant altitude loss

Recovery actions are similar to stall‑approach recovery:

  1. Reduce angle of attack (release back pressure)
  2. Full throttle
  3. Carburetor heat OFF
  4. Level aircraft

⚠️ Reminder

Never use ailerons during full stall recovery.

Follow with the same engine checks and APOS scan as after stall approach recovery.

When performing stalls in landing configuration, flaps must be reduced during recovery to decrease drag and increase acceleration.

Homework – Altitude vs. Distance

Due to repeated cancellations, I was assigned homework to improve understanding of the relationship between:

  • Power
  • Pitch
  • Speed
  • Flaps
  • Range

1. Flaps vs. flapless take‑off

The first exercise involved drawing a graph representing altitude versus distance from the start of the take‑off roll through rotation and initial climb, comparing flapless and flaps‑assisted take‑offs.

Succeeded lesson

After another two months, we were finally able to successfully complete the stalls lesson on March 27. During this lesson, we reviewed all previously discussed information and repeated the stalls exercises in full.

Key items that needed extra review:

  • Wind corrections and yoke control
  • Walk‑around inspection scheme
  • Correct and timely rudder use during slow flight and stall approach
    • Full power: right rudder
    • Idle power: left rudder
Last modified April 11, 2026: Added category to posts (9821eab)