AA.V.B.K6FAA-S-ACS-11A · Nov 2023Knowledge

Effects of altitude on performance (e.g., thrust available) and flight control effectiv...

ACS element text (the applicant demonstrates understanding of)

Effects of altitude on performance (e.g., thrust available) and flight control effectiveness during a recovery.

Bottom line

At high altitudes the available thrust is significantly less than at lower altitudes. Because of reduced thrust at high altitude, stall recovery may require significant pitch down to regain airspeed. First lowering the AOA allows all control surfaces to become more effective and allows roll to be better controlled.

Key numbers

Key numbers for Effects of altitude on performance (e.g., thrust available) and flight control effectiv...
NumberWhat it means
several thousand feet or more, high altitude stall recoveryAltitude loss
activates around 107 percent of the actual stall speedStick shaker
small elapsed time between actions, particularly at low altitudeRecovery time

FAA references

  1. AFH ch. 16 (pp. 16-8–16-9) — FAA-H-8083-3C
  2. AFH ch. 13 (p. 13-20) — FAA-H-8083-3C
  3. AC 120-109 Appendix 3 — AC No: 120-109A
  4. AC 120-109, para. 3-2 — AC No: 120-109A
  5. PHAK ch. 11 (p. 11-8) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
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