Definition
The standardized control actions a pilot takes to break a stalled condition and return the wing to producing normal lift. The core action is reducing the angle of attack by lowering the nose, followed by managing bank, adding power as appropriate, and returning to coordinated flight, then to the desired flight path.
Plain English
The steps a pilot takes to get an airplane flying normally again after the wing has stopped producing enough lift. The first and most important step is to lower the nose so the wing can start working again.
Context Anchor
Seen in stall awareness training, flight lessons, and FAA discussions of how to respond when an airplane shows signs of an approaching stall or has fully stalled.
Derivation
From 'stall,' meaning the airplane has stopped producing sufficient lift because the wing's angle of attack is too high, and 'recovery,' meaning a return to a normal, controlled state. Together: the actions that take the airplane back from stalled flight to normal flight.
Why Pilots Care
Timely and correct stall recovery prevents entry into a spin or uncontrolled descent, directly affecting flight safety during training and everyday operations.
Grounding Statement
The heart of every stall recovery is simple: get the wing back to a flying angle first, then rebuild the climb or level flight.
Intuition Check
Do not assume a stall recovery means fixing a stopped engine. In this context, stall refers to the wing, and the first recovery action is to reduce the wing’s angle to the airflow, not to pull up harder.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor demonstrated stall recoveries at altitude before asking the student to perform them.
Example Sentence 2
Power was added smoothly during stall recoveries while the nose was lowered to reduce angle of attack.