Ā Stalled Approach

As aviation has evolved, the most immediately identifiable change is the advancement of aircraft design and technology. From frail wood and fabric biplanes have grown aircraft capable of supersonic speeds and global travel, ranging in size from private light aircraft to commercial mammoths. Less noticeable are the enhancements in safety that have taken place.

From hit-and-miss flying training and perilous first solo flights, aviation has adapted to have structured training techniques and even established itself as a leading light in considering the role of human factors in safety.

Still, for all the progress, there are those events that continue to occur with tragic consequences despite modern technology and training. Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT) claims its fair share, particularly when the cloud meets the hills, and another culprit is often offending: the stall.

Ā brief recap

As most readers here are familiar with the concept of the stall, a very simplified explanation is offered for those new to aviation.

Aerodynamics is the study of how air moves around a solid object. Simply described, the more aerodynamic a flying object is, the better it will fly. In the pursuit of lift and speed, there is a constant effort to have the air flowing around an aircraft to remain smooth. The angle between the chord line of the wing and that relative airflow is known as the Angle of Attack (AoA).

Unfortunately, as