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PA.IV.B.R5FAA-S-ACS-6C · Nov 2023Risk management

Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).

ACS element text (the applicant demonstrates understanding of)

Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).

Bottom line

Controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) often results from continued VFR flight into areas with a low ceiling or low visibility. Loss of control in-flight (LOC-I) is an accident caused by the pilot not maintaining control of the airplane, and many LOC-I accidents are the result of stalls, spins, or accelerated maneuvers. When the airplane reaches the stall warning, the recovery is made first by reducing the AOA until the stall warning is eliminated, then rolling the wings level with coordinated use of the rudder and applying power as needed.

FAA references

  1. RMH ch. 3 (p. 3-4) — FAA-H-8083-2A
  2. AFH ch. 16 (p. 16-18) — FAA-H-8083-3C
  3. PHAK ch. 12 (p. 12-8) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
  4. AFH ch. 13 (p. 13-18) — FAA-H-8083-3C
  5. AFH ch. 13 (pp. 13-19–13-20) — FAA-H-8083-3C
  6. PHAK ch. 5 (pp. 5-43–5-44) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
  7. AFH ch. 17 (p. 17-13) — FAA-H-8083-3C
  8. SEA ch. 6 (p. 6-8) — FAA-H-8083-23
  9. AFH ch. 17 (p. 17-15) — FAA-H-8083-3C
  10. RMH Glossary — FAA-H-8083-2A
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