Commercial Pilot ACS · Area VII

CA.VII Slow Flight and Stalls

5 tasks and 86 knowledge, risk management and skill elements. Each code below is a link target: a code from your test report, such as CA.VII.A.K1, lands on its own line.

Written by the FlightWay team. Regulations checked against the eCFR and faa.gov on 11 November 2026. Not a substitute for the regulation itself or your instructor.

Commercial Pilot Airman Certification Standards, FAA-S-ACS-7B (November 2023 edition), effective May 31, 2024 and incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 61.14. Text from the FAA’s ACS page, checked on 11 November 2026. If the FAA has published a newer edition since, the codes and wording may differ: the FAA document is the authority.

CA.VII.A Maneuvering During Slow Flight

To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with maneuvering during slow flight in cruise configuration.

CA.VII.A.K1Knowledge: Aerodynamics associated with slow flight in various airplane configurations, including the relationship between angle of attack, airspeed, load factor, power setting, airplane weight and center of gravity, airplane attitude, and yaw effects.
CA.VII.A.R1Risk management: Inadvertent slow flight and flight with a stall warning, which could lead to loss of control.
CA.VII.A.R2Risk management: Range and limitations of stall warning indicators (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.).
CA.VII.A.R3Risk management: Uncoordinated flight.
CA.VII.A.R4Risk management: Effect of environmental elements on airplane performance (e.g., turbulence, microbursts, and high- density altitude).
CA.VII.A.R5Risk management: Collision hazards.
CA.VII.A.R6Risk management: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
CA.VII.A.S1Skill: Clear the area.
CA.VII.A.S2Skill: Select an entry altitude that allows the Task to be completed no lower than 1,500 feet above ground level (AGL) (ASEL, ASES) or 3,000 feet AGL (AMEL, AMES).
CA.VII.A.S3Skill: Establish and maintain an airspeed at which any further increase in angle of attack, increase in load factor, or reduction in power, would result in a stall warning (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.).
CA.VII.A.S4Skill: Accomplish coordinated straight-and-level flight, turns, climbs, and descents with the aircraft configured as specified by the evaluator without a stall warning (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.).
CA.VII.A.S5Skill: Maintain the specified altitude, ±50 feet; specified heading, ±10°; airspeed, +5/-0 knots; and specified angle of bank, ±5°.

CA.VII.B Power-Off Stalls

To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with power-off stalls.

CA.VII.B.K1Knowledge: Aerodynamics associated with stalls in various airplane configurations, including the relationship between angle of attack, airspeed, load factor, power setting, airplane weight and center of gravity, airplane attitude, and yaw effects.
CA.VII.B.K2Knowledge: Stall characteristics as they relate to airplane design, and recognition impending stall and full stall indications using sight, sound, or feel.
CA.VII.B.K3Knowledge: Factors and situations that can lead to a power-off stall and actions that can be taken to prevent it.
CA.VII.B.K4Knowledge: Fundamentals of stall recovery.
CA.VII.B.R1Risk management: Factors and situations that could lead to an inadvertent power-off stall, spin, and loss of control.
CA.VII.B.R2Risk management: Range and limitations of stall warning indicators (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.).
CA.VII.B.R3Risk management: Stall warning(s) during normal operations.
CA.VII.B.R4Risk management: Stall recovery procedure.
CA.VII.B.R5Risk management: Secondary stalls, accelerated stalls, and cross-control stalls.
CA.VII.B.R6Risk management: Effect of environmental elements on airplane performance related to power-off stalls (e.g., turbulence, microbursts, and high-density altitude).
CA.VII.B.R7Risk management: Collision hazards.
CA.VII.B.R8Risk management: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
CA.VII.B.S1Skill: Clear the area.
CA.VII.B.S2Skill: Select an entry altitude that allows the Task to be completed no lower than 1,500 feet above ground level (AGL) (ASEL, ASES) or 3,000 feet AGL (AMEL, AMES).
CA.VII.B.S3Skill: Configure the airplane in the approach or landing configuration, as specified by the evaluator, and maintain coordinated flight throughout the maneuver.
CA.VII.B.S4Skill: Establish a stabilized descent.
CA.VII.B.S5Skill: Transition smoothly from the approach or landing attitude to a pitch attitude that induces a stall.
CA.VII.B.S6Skill: Maintain a specified heading, ±10° if in straight flight; maintain a specified angle of bank not to exceed 20°, ±5° if in turning flight, until an impending or full stall occurs, as specified by the evaluator.
CA.VII.B.S7Skill: Acknowledge the cues at the first indication of a stall (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.).
CA.VII.B.S8Skill: Recover at the first indication of a stall or after a full stall has occurred, as specified by the evaluator.
CA.VII.B.S9Skill: Configure the airplane as recommended by the manufacturer, and accelerate to best angle of climb speed (VX) or best rate of climb speed (VY).
CA.VII.B.S10Skill: Return to the altitude, heading, and airspeed specified by the evaluator.

CA.VII.C Power-On Stalls

To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with power-on stalls.

CA.VII.C.K1Knowledge: Aerodynamics associated with stalls in various airplane configurations, including the relationship between angle of attack, airspeed, load factor, power setting, airplane weight and center of gravity, airplane attitude, and yaw effects.
CA.VII.C.K2Knowledge: Stall characteristics as they relate to airplane design, and recognition impending stall and full stall indications using sight, sound, or feel.
CA.VII.C.K3Knowledge: Factors and situations that can lead to a power-on stall and actions that can be taken to prevent it.
CA.VII.C.K4Knowledge: Fundamentals of stall recovery.
CA.VII.C.R1Risk management: Factors and situations that could lead to an inadvertent power-on stall, spin, and loss of control.
CA.VII.C.R2Risk management: Range and limitations of stall warning indicators (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.).
CA.VII.C.R3Risk management: Stall warning(s) during normal operations.
CA.VII.C.R4Risk management: Stall recovery procedure.
CA.VII.C.R5Risk management: Secondary stalls, accelerated stalls, elevator trim stalls, and cross-control stalls.
CA.VII.C.R6Risk management: Effect of environmental elements on airplane performance related to power-on stalls (e.g., turbulence, microbursts, and high-density altitude).
CA.VII.C.R7Risk management: Collision hazards.
CA.VII.C.R8Risk management: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
CA.VII.C.S1Skill: Clear the area.
CA.VII.C.S2Skill: Select an entry altitude that allows the Task to be completed no lower than 1,500 feet above ground level (AGL) (ASEL, ASES) or 3,000 feet AGL (AMEL, AMES).
CA.VII.C.S3Skill: Establish the takeoff, departure, or cruise configuration, as specified by the evaluator, and maintain coordinated flight throughout the maneuver.
CA.VII.C.S4Skill: Set power to no less than 65 percent power.
CA.VII.C.S5Skill: Transition smoothly from the takeoff or departure attitude to the pitch attitude that induces a stall.
CA.VII.C.S6Skill: Maintain a specified heading ±10° if in straight flight; maintain a specified angle of bank not to exceed 20°, ±10° if in turning flight, until an impending or full stall is reached, as specified by the evaluator.
CA.VII.C.S7Skill: Acknowledge the cues at the first indication of a stall (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.).
CA.VII.C.S8Skill: Recover at the first indication of a stall or after a full stall has occurred, as specified by the evaluator.
CA.VII.C.S9Skill: Configure the airplane as recommended by the manufacturer, and accelerate to best angle of climb speed (VX) or best rate of climb speed (VY).
CA.VII.C.S10Skill: Return to the altitude, heading, and airspeed specified by the evaluator.

CA.VII.D Accelerated Stalls

To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with accelerated stalls (power-on or power-off).

CA.VII.D.K1Knowledge: Aerodynamics associated with accelerated stalls in various airplane configurations, including the relationship between angle of attack, airspeed, load factor, power setting, airplane weight and center of gravity, airplane attitude, and yaw effects.
CA.VII.D.K2Knowledge: Stall characteristics as they relate to airplane design, and recognition impending stall and full stall indications using sight, sound, or feel.
CA.VII.D.K3Knowledge: Factors leading to an accelerated stall and preventive actions.
CA.VII.D.K4Knowledge: Fundamentals of stall recovery.
CA.VII.D.R1Risk management: Factors and situations that could lead to an inadvertent accelerated stall, spin, and loss of control.
CA.VII.D.R2Risk management: Range and limitations of stall warning indicators (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.).
CA.VII.D.R3Risk management: Stall warning(s) during normal operations.
CA.VII.D.R4Risk management: Stall recovery procedure.
CA.VII.D.R5Risk management: Secondary stalls, cross-control stalls, and spins.
CA.VII.D.R6Risk management: Effect of environmental elements on airplane performance related to accelerated stalls (e.g., turbulence, microbursts, and high-density altitude).
CA.VII.D.R7Risk management: Collision hazards.
CA.VII.D.R8Risk management: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
CA.VII.D.S1Skill: Clear the area.
CA.VII.D.S2Skill: Select an entry altitude that allows the Task to be completed no lower than 3,000 feet above ground level (AGL).
CA.VII.D.S3Skill: Establish the configuration as specified by the evaluator.
CA.VII.D.S4Skill: Set power appropriate for the configuration, such that the airspeed does not exceed the maneuvering speed (VA) or any other applicable Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH)/Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) limitation.
CA.VII.D.S5Skill: Establish and maintain a coordinated turn in a 45° bank, increasing elevator back pressure smoothly and firmly until an impending stall is reached.
CA.VII.D.S6Skill: Acknowledge the cues at the first indication of a stall (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.).
CA.VII.D.S7Skill: Execute a stall recovery in accordance with procedures set forth in the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH)/Flight Manual (FM).
CA.VII.D.S8Skill: Configure the airplane as recommended by the manufacturer, and accelerate to best angle of climb speed (VX) or best rate of climb speed (VY).
CA.VII.D.S9Skill: Return to the altitude, heading, and airspeed specified by the evaluator.

CA.VII.E Spin Awareness

To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge of the causes and procedures for recovery from unintentional spins and understands the risk associated with unintentional spins.

CA.VII.E.K1Knowledge: Aerodynamics associated with spins in various airplane configurations, including the relationship between angle of attack, airspeed, load factor, power setting, airplane weight and center of gravity, airplane attitude, and yaw effects.
CA.VII.E.K2Knowledge: What causes a spin and how to identify the entry, incipient, and developed phases of a spin.
CA.VII.E.K3Knowledge: Spin recovery procedure.
CA.VII.E.R1Risk management: Factors and situations that could lead to inadvertent spin and loss of control.
CA.VII.E.R2Risk management: Range and limitations of stall warning indicators (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.).
CA.VII.E.R3Risk management: Spin recovery procedure.
CA.VII.E.R4Risk management: Effect of environmental elements on airplane performance related to spins (e.g., turbulence, microbursts, and high-density altitude).
CA.VII.E.R5Risk management: Collision hazards.
CA.VII.E.R6Risk management: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.

Other areas in this standard

CA.I Preflight Preparation9 tasks CA.II Preflight Procedures6 tasks CA.III Airport and Seaplane Base Operations2 tasks CA.IV Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds14 tasks CA.V Performance Maneuvers and Ground Reference Maneuvers5 tasks CA.VI Navigation4 tasks CA.VIII High-Altitude Operations2 tasks CA.IX Emergency Operations7 tasks CA.X Multiengine Operations4 tasks CA.XI Postflight Procedures2 tasks

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Last updated 11 November 2026.