Definition
A training maneuver in which the pilot intentionally flies the airplane toward the point of an aerodynamic stall while engine power is set at takeoff or climb power, in order to recognize the warning signs of an impending stall and apply the recovery procedure before the stall fully develops. It simulates the conditions that lead to a stall during takeoff, initial climb, or go-around, when power is high and pitch attitude is steep.
Plain English
A practice exercise where the pilot, with the engine producing climb or takeoff power, slowly raises the nose until the airplane is about to stall, then recovers. It builds the skill of catching a stall early in situations that mimic departing or climbing out.
Context Anchor
Seen in stall training for takeoff and departure situations, especially when practicing what can happen if the nose is held too high after takeoff.
Derivation
“Approach” here means “coming near,” not a landing approach. “Stall” originally carries the idea of stopping; in airplane use, it means the wing stops producing normal lift because the airflow is no longer smooth enough over the wing. “Power-on” means engine power is still being applied during the maneuver.
Why Pilots Care
Stalls that occur on takeoff or go-around happen at low altitude where there is little room to recover; practicing this maneuver builds the ability to recognize the signs and recover promptly before a spin develops.
Grounding Statement
Picture an airplane climbing after takeoff with the nose held too high: the engine is pulling, but the wing is getting close to the point where it can no longer keep lifting normally.
Intuition Check
Do not read “approach” as a landing approach here; it means getting close to a stall. Do not read “stall” as the engine quitting; in this term, the wing is the part nearing a stall, while power remains on.
Example Sentence 1
During the checkride, the examiner asked for a power-on approach to stall, so the applicant established Vy, applied takeoff power, and smoothly raised the nose until the stall warning sounded, then recovered.
Example Sentence 2
After the power-on approach to stall, the pilot recovered by lowering the nose to reduce the angle of attack while maintaining directional control.