Airman Certification Standards
ACS AA.V.B
Clean Configuration Stall Prevention
Knowledge
Aerodynamics associated with stalls in a clean configuration, including the relationship between angle of attack, airspeed, load factor, power setting, aircraft weight and balance, and aircraft attitude.
Stall characteristics as they relate to airplane design, and recognition impending stall and full stall indications using sight, sound, or feel.
Factors and situations that can lead to a stall during cruise flight and actions that can be taken to prevent it.
Effects of autoflight, flight envelope protection in normal and degraded modes, and unexpected disconnects of the autopilot or autothrottle/autothrust, if applicable to the aircraft used for the evaluation.
Fundamentals of stall recovery.
Effects of altitude on performance (e.g., thrust available) and flight control effectiveness during a recovery.
Risk Management
Factors and situations that could lead to an inadvertent stall, spin, and loss of control during cruise flight.
Range and limitations of stall warning indicators (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, stick shaker, etc.).
Stall warning awareness.
Stall recovery procedure.
Secondary stalls, accelerated stalls, elevator trim stalls, and cross-control stalls. 35
Effect of environmental elements on aircraft performance while in cruise flight as it relates to stalls (e.g., turbulence, microbursts, and high-density altitude).
Collision hazards including aircraft and terrain.
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Skill
Clear the area and select an entry altitude that allows the recovery to be completed no lower than 3,000 feet above ground level (AGL) (non-transport category airplanes) or 5,000 feet AGL (transport category airplanes).
While in cruise flight, maintain coordinated flight in simulated or actual instrument conditions throughout the maneuver.
Either manually or with the autopilot engaged, smoothly adjust pitch attitude, bank angle (15°-30°), and power setting in accordance with evaluator’s instructions to an impending stall.
Acknowledge the cue(s) and promptly recover at the first indication of an impending stall (e.g., buffet, stall horn, stick shaker, etc.).
Execute a stall recovery in accordance with procedures set forth in the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH)/Flight Manual (FM).
Return to the desired flight path as specified by the evaluator.
Retrieved from ecfr.gov on July 17, 2026.