Stalls

Stalls should be taught after the student has demonstrated the ability to control the glider in all three axes.  Teaching stalls prior to this may cause the student anxiety while performing stalls, which will affect their ability to recover from them in a timely fashion.  Emphasize that the stall is a function of angle of attack and may occur at any flight attitude regardless of speed.

 

Stalls, like every maneuver have a setup, execution and recovery.  Setup for the maneuver by clearing the airspace while performing either one 180 degree or two 90 degree turns.  Once clear, establish an approximate 50 mph IAS. 

 

For forward stalls, bring the nose of the glider up to an attitude where the student’s feet are on the horizon.  Maintain this attitude as the glider slows by apply appropriate back stick pressure.  When the stall breaks, center the stick and let the glider build enough airspeed that recovery can be made smoothly with minimum altitude lost and not enter into a secondary stall. 

 

For turning stalls, begin a shallow bank (approximate 10-15 degree) turn.  Bring the nose of the glider up to an attitude where the student’s feet are on the horizon.  Maintain this attitude as the glider slows by apply appropriate back stick pressure and opposite aileron to prevent the inside wing from dropping too much, making it more difficult to stall (be careful not to level the glider or you will end up with a forward stall).  When the stall breaks, center the stick and apply full opposite rudder.  Let the glider build enough airspeed that the stick can be used to level the wings and recovery can be made smoothly with minimum altitude lost and not enter into a secondary stall. 

 

Stalls with spoilers are taught the same way with the exception that spoilers are deployed prior to raising the nose of the glider, and closed as the stall breaks and the stick is centered.