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Book Reviews:   by Ed Lubitz   by Ken Armstrong

Stall Speed Test

Objective:	To determine the power off stall speed and behaviour.
FIRST STALL:	Carburetor heat ON Power OFF Flaps UP Gear UP

Warning: On clean, high performance aircraft or aircraft with unusual
wing design, a pre-stall buffet may not exist and the stall may be abrupt
and violent with a large wing drop.

Power Off Stall

Procedure:	Recheck CG is forward prior to flight. Secure all cockpit items. Climb to 6,000 AGL.
Note: If you feel that 6,000 AGL is not adequate then increase your altitude.
	Clearing turns. Stabilize airspeed and altitude. Reduce airspeed and trim at 1.3 x Vps. Decelerate slowly (½ K per second). Small control inputs. Maintain ball centred with rudder. Allow the aircraft to stall. Recover immediately: - Forward pressure on control column. - Full power. Record speed for first sign of buffet, stall speed, and behaviour.

Subsequent stalls (record on test card):

• Same stall several times to determine power off 1g stall speed.
• Series of stalls with faster rate of deceleration (no flaps).
• Series of stalls with flaps down (start with lower setting first).
• Series of stalls with faster rate of deceleration (flaps down).
• Aircraft with retractable gear as above (gear extended).

Ideal Stall

• Warning buffet starting approximately 5-10K above stall speed, growing in
  intensity as the aircraft decelerates.
  
• Straight forward nose drop with no tendency for roll or pitch-up.
• The ailerons will continue to operate until the aircraft stall speed is reached
  and the wings stall.