Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Practice Exam

What is expected of a student during slow flight maneuvers?

1. Maintain altitude within +/- 100 feet

2. Establish and maintain an airspeed close to stall speed

3. Fly with no configuration changes

4. Perform maneuvers at full throttle only

The correct answer is: Establish and maintain an airspeed close to stall speed

During slow flight maneuvers, the focus is on flying the aircraft close to stall speed while maintaining control of the aircraft. This includes recognizing the aerodynamic behavior of the aircraft at low speeds, and understanding how to effectively manage pitch and power settings to maintain a specified airspeed just above stall. Establishing and maintaining airspeed close to stall speed is essential because it allows the student to experience how the aircraft responds in that critical flight envelope, helping to develop skills in recognizing warning signs, such as a loss of control authority or indications of an impending stall. This familiarity is crucial for overall flight safety and for preparing to recover from stalls. Other options may touch on related principles but do not accurately capture the primary expectation during these maneuvers. For instance, maintaining altitude within a narrow margin is typical for many general maneuvers but is more flexible in slow flight; configuration changes are often part of the maneuver to simulate real-world conditions, and performing at full throttle contradicts the very nature of slow flight, which typically involves lower power settings to achieve reduced speeds.