Accelerated (Maneuvering) Stall
An accelerated stall demonstrates that an airplane can stall at a higher-than-normal airspeed whenever the load factor is increased — for example in a steep, level turn. The increased G raises the stall speed, so the wing reaches its critical angle of attack while the airspeed is still well above the 1G stall speed.
Step by step
- 1Clear the area and slow to the entry airspeed specified (at or below the airplane’s maneuvering speed / design limits).
- 2Roll into a steep level turn (commonly about 45° of bank) and smoothly increase back-pressure to increase the load factor.
- 3Continue increasing back-pressure (and thus load factor) until the wing reaches its critical angle of attack and stalls — at a noticeably higher airspeed than a 1G stall.
- 4Recognize the accelerated stall (buffet/break, often with a tendency for the high wing or nose to drop) immediately.
- 5Recover promptly: reduce the angle of attack (release back-pressure), level the wings with coordinated controls, and add power as needed.
- 6Return to coordinated, normal flight with minimum altitude loss.
Tips & common errors
- The lesson: load factor increases stall speed — you can stall at any airspeed and attitude if you exceed the critical AOA.
- Never exceed maneuvering speed when intentionally inducing an accelerated stall, to avoid overstressing the airframe.
- Recover by unloading the wing (reduce AOA) first; do not just roll level under high G.
- Common error: an abrupt, uncoordinated entry that leads to a spin departure rather than a clean accelerated stall.
ACS completion standards
The commonly-tested tolerances for this maneuver. Always confirm the current ACS for your certificate.
- Establish the entry at the specified airspeed (not exceeding VA / design maneuvering limits).
- Induce and recognize the accelerated stall at the first indication; recover promptly by reducing AOA.
- Maintain coordinated flight and recover with minimum altitude loss.
FAA source
FAA-S-ACS-7 (Commercial Pilot ACS), Task: Accelerated Stalls; Airplane Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-3, Chapter 4.
This is an original, plain-English study summary grounded in the public-domain FAA Airman Certification Standards and FAA handbooks cited above. It is a study aid, not flight instruction, and not a substitute for the official ACS, the handbooks, your aircraft’s POH/AFM, or a certificated flight instructor.
Related maneuvers
- Maneuvering During Slow FlightSlow flight is sustained flight at a low airspeed just above the stall warning, where the airplane is on the back side of the power curve and controls feel mushy. You learn to control altitude, heading, and airspeed precisely with coordinated use of pitch, power, and trim. Per the current ACS, slow flight is flown at a speed above the one that would activate the stall warning.
- Power-Off Stall (Approach-to-Landing Stall)A power-off stall simulates the stall that can occur in the approach/landing configuration — power reduced, flaps and gear down, descending. You recognize the aerodynamic stall (buffet, mushy controls, stall warning) and recover promptly with minimum altitude loss.
- Power-On Stall (Departure Stall)A power-on stall simulates the stall that can happen on takeoff or initial climb — takeoff power, takeoff/departure configuration, nose high. Torque and P-factor make the airplane want to roll/yaw left, so coordinated rudder is essential to a clean recovery.
- Cross-Control Stall (Demonstration)A CFI demonstration stall that shows the danger of a skidding (cross-controlled) turn from base to final. With crossed controls — aileron one way, opposite rudder — the airplane can snap into an incipient spin at the stall, with little warning, at a low altitude where there is no room to recover. The point is to recognize and avoid it.
Keep studying
Turn maneuver knowledge into a passing checkride
Drill ACS-aligned questions and ask the AI tutor, Ace, anything — free to start, no account needed.
Take a free practice test →