PPL Checkride Guide
← Area VII. Slow Flight and Stalls

Task VII.B

Power-Off Stalls

To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with power-off stalls.

Note: See Appendix 2: Safety of Flight and Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task.

References: AC 61-67; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/AFM

Chair fly this task

Quick Review

Tolerances per FAA-S-ACS-6C (ASEL).

Technique Notes

Don't rush the entry with excessive pitch. For the power-off stall, pitch to about 10° nose-up and just let the airspeed drop. Then wait — for the full stall, not the horn, not the first buffet. The break is the cue to recover.

Setup and recovery flow

  • Clearing turns; set up high enough that recovery is complete no lower than 1,500 ft AGL.
  • Simulate an approach: carb heat as required, power back, flaps as specified, and stabilize a descent at normal approach speed — this stall represents the base-to-final / landing phase.
  • From the stabilized descent, smoothly pitch up to roughly 10° and hold that attitude while the airspeed decays. Stay coordinated — the rudder does more and more of the work as the speed drops.
  • At the break: reduce the angle of attack (enough pitch-down to break the stall — no need to dive), simultaneously full power (carb heat off), and level the wings with rudder, not aileron.
  • Retract flaps in increments with a positive rate, then climb out at Vx or Vy and return to altitude.

Common errors

  • Recovering off the horn or buffet instead of waiting for the full stall.
  • Using aileron at high AoA to pick up a wing — that deepens the stall on the dropping wing; use rudder.
  • Excessive nose-down in the recovery, giving away altitude that didn't need to be lost.
  • Rushing the pitch-up so the deceleration and cues never develop properly.

Official ACS elementsreference

Knowledge4 elements

The applicant demonstrates understanding of:

  • PA.VII.B.K1Aerodynamics associated with stalls in various airplane configurations, including the relationship between angle of attack, airspeed, load factor, power setting, airplane weight and center of gravity, airplane attitude, and yaw effects.
  • PA.VII.B.K2Stall characteristics as they relate to airplane design, and recognition impending stall and full stall indications using sight, sound, or feel.
  • PA.VII.B.K3Factors and situations that can lead to a power-off stall and actions that can be taken to prevent it.
  • PA.VII.B.K4Fundamentals of stall recovery.
Risk Management8 elements

The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with:

  • PA.VII.B.R1Factors and situations that could lead to an inadvertent power-off stall, spin, and loss of control.
  • PA.VII.B.R2Range and limitations of stall warning indicators (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.).
  • PA.VII.B.R3Stall warning(s) during normal operations.
  • PA.VII.B.R4Stall recovery procedure.
  • PA.VII.B.R5Secondary stalls, accelerated stalls, and cross-control stalls.
  • PA.VII.B.R6Effect of environmental elements on airplane performance related to power-off stalls (e.g., turbulence, microbursts, and high-density altitude).
  • PA.VII.B.R7Collision hazards.
  • PA.VII.B.R8Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Skills11 elements

The applicant exhibits the skill to:

  • PA.VII.B.S1Clear the area.
  • PA.VII.B.S2Select 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).
  • PA.VII.B.S3Configure the airplane in the approach or landing configuration, as specified by the evaluator, and maintain coordinated flight throughout the maneuver.
  • PA.VII.B.S4Establish a stabilized descent.
  • PA.VII.B.S5Transition smoothly from the approach or landing attitude to a pitch attitude that induces a stall.
  • PA.VII.B.S6Maintain 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.
  • PA.VII.B.S7Acknowledge cues of the impending stall and then recover promptly after a full stall occurs.
  • PA.VII.B.S8Execute a stall recovery in accordance with procedures set forth in the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) or Airplane Flight Manual (AFM).
  • PA.VII.B.S9Configure the airplane as recommended by the manufacturer, and accelerate to best angle of climb speed (VX) or best rate of climb speed (VY).
  • PA.VII.B.S10Return to the altitude, heading, and airspeed specified by the evaluator.
  • PA.VII.B.S11Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.