Plane cannot be stalled

[stall recovery]

Hi everyone

A while ago, I had a solo flight on a Cessna 172N and the plane just couldn't be stalled.
Here is the entry from my PTR Book:

"Had a hard time stalling the plane with 30 degree flaps, even with power idle and control column all the way back, perhaps due to the strong headwind".

Anyone care to comment or shed some light on this ?

[trampbike]

1. Headwind has nothing to do with it. An airplane does not feel the wind (it can feel gusts thought). The airplane moves through the air and only feels the relative airflow, it doesn't matter where the air mass is going in relation to the ground, the airplane is moving with the air mass and has no idea where the ground is. Maybe you should review the concepts of relative airflow and the effects wind have on a flying object.

2. If you want a very clean stall, I might suggest you enter it power iddle and stick all the way back (like you tried), but then you add a burst of power while keeping the stick in your stomach. The propwash will make the elevator more efficient and it should bring you to a higher angle of attack.

[North Shore]

You're not practicing stalling per se, you're practicing the recognition and recovery therof. If you don't get a clean break at the point of the stall (nose pitching down of its own accord) I wouldn't worry about it - what's important is that you recognise that you are in or are approaching a stall, and apply corrective action. So: power to idle, stick back, wait for the horn and buffet (signs of an approaching stall), then stick forward to break the stall, and add full power.

[photofly]

I'd lookup the definition of "stall", and "washout". A stall needn't be accompanied by a pitch break, and you were most likely in one without knowing it (which is the point of the training - to recognise one.)

[fanspeed]

I think you hit one of the definitions in your post.

[JMACK]

You were in a very low energy state, just no noticeable break like the poster above mentioned and this can be very dangerous near the ground.

A few years back I was out in a Stearman on a 90 degree day. This old bird had no stall horn. I had been flying jets all summer and wanted to do something fun on my vacation so thought I'd get a check out in a Stearman. My instructor knew me and trusted me (big mistake). I had just enough pitch to start slowly losing energy on departure, my poor instructor was sight seeing, like I said he trusted me! When I realised what I had done the stick went forward and I almost tore the throttle leaver off the side wall where it is mounted. My instructor saved it in the end but we did land off that stall fairly firm I might add. Just about shit myself.

So be careful out there, some stalls can creep up on you no clean break.

You can be sure you were stalled.......you can't beat physics!

After I got my composure back my instructor took me out in the county for some awesome aeros pure heaven in that old girl!

[ArcticKat]

I'm curious, what was your altitude before you started the procedure and what was it afterwards?

[5x5]

Here is the entry from my PTR Book:

So what did your instructor have to say? As the entry is in your PTR it had to be a supervised solo and would have been thoroughly reviewed upon your return. So are you looking for clarification or was there something stated that you don't agree with? Need more info to provide truly useful suggestions.

[shitdisturber]

Sounds to me like you were easing the yoke back. The plane will stall eventually, which you'll notice by the altitude loss, but to get the clean break you're looking for bring the yoke back firmly at 55 knots. It should work like a charm.

[Beefitarian]

If it would not stall how did you land?

[TopperHarley]

If it would not stall how did you land?

You dont need to be stalled in order to land.

[Doc]

Just because the nose didn't drop doesn't mean you weren't stalled. If your nose is up, and you're going down, there's a good chance you are stalled. Now, if you have max power applied, nose high and descending, you're Air France! Can you swim?

[floatplanepilot]

Re-rig your elevator. Perhaps it wasn't rigged properly and are not getting full travel.

[CpnCrunch]

Perhaps you had nose-down trim?

[Beefitarian]

If it would not stall how did you land?

You dont need to be stalled in order to land.

Well, that's sort of true.

You could touch down before it's fully stalled but it will stall once it slows down even if you don't notice it is happening because you're wheels down. Kind of like it was probably doing while the op was higher up.

[TopperHarley]

Im not sure what kind of plane you're flying, but no twin turbine/jet is ever in a stalled condition during landing, at least it should never be. Even a small twin or single isn't supposed to be "stalled" in order for it to touchdown.

[Doc]

"Nose down trim..." "Re-rig your elevator......" You guys ARE kidding....right?

[erics2b]

.

[floatplanepilot]

"Nose down trim..." "Re-rig your elevator......" You guys ARE kidding....right?

I have seen a quite few 172 elevators improperly rigged and not producing full elevator travel.

[Doc]

"Nose down trim..." "Re-rig your elevator......" You guys ARE kidding....right?

I have seen a quite few 172 elevators improperly rigged and not producing full elevator travel.

So, if you don't have "full" elevator travel, you can't stall???? Perhaps restricted travel elevators should be standard equipment? Do you actually fly?

[iflyforpie]

So, if you don't have "full" elevator travel, you can't stall????

Yes. Have you ever fully stalled an aircraft at 1G with no power without pulling fully back?

Perhaps restricted travel elevators should be standard equipment? Do you actually fly?

Somebody beat you to it.

[The Ercoupe had]suitable longitudinal and lateral stability with limited up-elevator deflection, to prevent loss of control due to stalling and spinning.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ercoupe

[floatplanepilot]

"Nose down trim..." "Re-rig your elevator......" You guys ARE kidding....right?

I have seen a quite few 172 elevators improperly rigged and not producing full elevator travel.

So, if you don't have "full" elevator travel, you can't stall???? Perhaps restricted travel elevators should be standard equipment? Do you actually fly?

I just put out a possible explanation why it might be difficult fully stall a 172. In fact its quite common for a 172 to be mis-rigged. Are you actually a jerk, or just on sundays?

[Bede]

Hey Eric,

Great question. You're dad said you were a smart guy- looks like he was right. From my guess, you know the answer, but using a bit of questioning to get some instructors on this forum to figure things out for themselves.

Have you got your PPL yet or are you still a SPP?

I need a ride in the Pitts next time I'm in YSH.

Beef, I think you better answer this guy's question!

[erics2b]

Hey Eric,

Great question. You're dad said you were a smart guy- looks like he was right. From my guess, you know the answer, but using a bit of questioning to get some instructors on this forum to figure things out for themselves.

Have you got your PPL yet or are you still a SPP?

I need a ride in the Pitts next time I'm in YSH.

Yep, working on the CPL now, but that's on hold while I'm at school. Email my dad about the Pitts ride as he's travelling a bunch nowadays and as such is in YSH less often now.

[Doc]

I just put out a possible explanation why it might be difficult fully stall a 172. In fact its quite common for a 172 to be mis-rigged. Are you actually a jerk, or just on sundays?

Only on Sundays. Still don't buy the limited elevator stall scenario.