Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Practice Exam

What must be performed before executing a stall maneuver to ensure safety?

1. Altitude checks

2. Clearing turns

3. Fuel checks

4. Weight distribution checks

The correct answer is: Clearing turns

Before executing a stall maneuver, performing clearing turns is essential for safety. Clearing turns are designed to ensure that the area around the aircraft is free from other traffic and obstacles. This involves executing a 90-degree turn in one direction, followed by another 90-degree turn in the opposite direction. This maneuver helps the pilot visually scan for other aircraft, confirming that the airspace is clear of traffic that could lead to a collision during the practice of the stall. By executing clearing turns, the pilot enhances situational awareness and minimizes risk while practicing maneuvers that can significantly change the aircraft’s flight characteristics. This is particularly important in stall training as the aircraft will be in a less responsive state after entering a stall, making it crucial to have a clear environment beforehand. While altitude checks, fuel checks, and weight distribution checks are important aspects of pre-flight preparation and safety, they do not directly address the immediate concern of other traffic in the vicinity at the moment the stall is to be executed. Therefore, clearing turns are the most critical step in ensuring a safe environment before practicing stall maneuvers.