What does the term "stall recovery" involve?

The term "stall recovery" involves the critical phase of returning an aircraft to controlled flight after it has entered a stall condition. A stall occurs when the angle of attack exceeds the critical angle, leading to a significant loss of lift. To recover from a stall, the pilot must reduce the angle of attack, which is accomplished by lowering the nose of the aircraft. Simultaneously, adding power helps to regain lift and stabilize the aircraft.

This process is crucial because if the aircraft remains in a stalled condition, it could lead to an uncontrolled descent or a spin. Therefore, reducing the angle of attack effectively reduces the stall condition, and adding power assists in rebuilding speed and altitude control. This two-pronged approach is a fundamental technique taught in flight training for safely managing stall situations.

The other choices present actions that may not effectively address the stall recovery process. Engaging autopilot systems does not provide the direct control needed to respond to a stall. Banking steeply can exacerbate the situation by further increasing the angle of attack, which is the opposite of what is needed for recovery. Performing an emergency landing is a drastic measure that would not be applicable unless there were a failure to recover from the stall.