What does a stall warning indicate and what should the pilot do first?

What does a stall warning indicate and what should the pilot do first?

• A. Indicates engine failure; increase throttle
• B. Indicates imminent stall; reduce angle of attack and recover
• C. Indicates loss of hull integrity; abandon aircraft
• D. Indicates low fuel; switch tanks

Answer: (B)

A stall warning is telling you the wing is near its critical angle of attack and a stall will occur if you don’t act. The first action is to lower the angle of attack by pushing the nose down slightly. This releases the wing from the stalled condition and allows air to flow again, restoring lift. As you reduce the angle, smoothly add power if needed to regain airspeed and then bring the aircraft back to a safe, coordinated flight attitude. The warning isn’t about engine failure, hull damage, or fuel—those aren’t the issues the warning indicates, and simply adding throttle without reducing the angle won’t recover from a stall.

A stall warning is telling you the wing is near its critical angle of attack and a stall will occur if you don’t act. The first action is to lower the angle of attack by pushing the nose down slightly. This releases the wing from the stalled condition and allows air to flow again, restoring lift. As you reduce the angle, smoothly add power if needed to regain airspeed and then bring the aircraft back to a safe, coordinated flight attitude. The warning isn’t about engine failure, hull damage, or fuel—those aren’t the issues the warning indicates, and simply adding throttle without reducing the angle won’t recover from a stall.