Factors affecting stall speed
Wing always stalls at same angle of attack. Stalling airspeed varies with loading, power, condition (TP 1102). Bank angle, abrupt pitch-up (accelerated-secondary-stalls), flaps: own lessons.
| Factor | Stalling speed | Detail | Cite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Higher when heavier | Wing reaches stalling angle of attack at higher airspeed | TP 1102 |
| CG | Forward = higher; aft = lower | Tail-load mechanism: cg-load-distribution-limits |
TP 1102 Stalling Speeds, Balance; PHAK ch.5 |
| Power | Power-ON lower than power-OFF | Same weight and configuration | TP 1102 |
| Condition | Clean, well-maintained, properly rigged = lower | Better than poor general condition | TP 1102 |
| Retractable gear | Extended = generally slightly lower | Most noticeable power-on; effect varies by type | TP 1102 |
| Turbulence | Rises significantly | Upward gust abruptly raises angle of attack | Listed: Self-paced Recency Q49; effect: TP 1102 |
| Heavy rain | Listed as a factor; direction not in local first-hand sources | n/a | Self-paced Recency Q49 |
Trap: lower stalling speed is not safer. Aft CG's recovery and spin cost: see cg-controllability.
References
- TP 1102 (Flight Training Manual), Stalling Speeds
- PHAK ch.5 Aerodynamics of Flight, Effect of Load Distribution