Slow flight, stalls, and spin awareness
**Slow flight** is flight at an airspeed just above stall warning — typically 5–10 knots above the stall speed. The goal is coordinated control at high angles of attack: right rudder increases with power and angle of attack to counter P-factor and torque.
**Power-off stall** simulates an approach-to-landing stall: reduce power to idle, hold altitude until stall warning, then recover. **Power-on stall** simulates a departure stall: apply takeoff power, pitch up until stall warning, recover.
**Stall recovery (AC 61-67C):** 1. Reduce angle of attack — pitch forward to unload the wing. 2. Level the wings (do not try to level them with ailerons during stall — rudder first). 3. Apply maximum allowable power. 4. Return to the desired flight path.
**Spin awareness (AC 61-67C):** a spin is a stall plus yaw. The PARE method for recovery: **P**ower idle · **A**ilerons neutral · **R**udder opposite the rotation · **E**levator briskly forward. After rotation stops, neutralize rudder and pull out of the dive smoothly to avoid secondary stall.
Private pilot applicants demonstrate stall awareness but spin training is not required for the PPL practical test (it is required for CFI). Utility category aircraft only — do not spin normal-category airplanes.