Begin forwarded message:
From: “marterr@aol.com” <marterr@aol.com>Subject: From Marc Nathanson 20 February 2026 Flight Characteristics at Various Configurations and AirspeedsDate: February 20, 2026 at 7:25:59 AM ESTFrom Marc Nathanson 20 February 2026
Flight Characteristics at Various Configurations and Airspeeds
For those of you teaching CFI student candidates, here is information covering Task B. Demonstration of Flight Characteristics at Various Configurations and Airspeeds…which is found in the CFI ACS under Area of Operation X. Slow flight, Stalls, and Spins.
Your students must read and you must teach what is found in Page 5-19 of the Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C) Chapter 5: Maintaining Aircraft Control: Upset Prevention and Recovery Training.
I want to make sure you all know how to teach this. View the URL below and read the CFI ACS which explains how to perform this task. Note that there is the requirement to lose altitude, and you must know when this is required when flying the maneuver.
Explains Slow Flight and Flight at minimal Control Airspeed and differences. Note that the URL does not explain the loss of altitude.
FAA Adds New Checkride Maneuver | Airman Certification Standards (ACS) (youtube.com)
Note that this task is only required in the CFI ACS. You may teach it to both private and commercial students dual only-not solo for private, commercial, and CFI and at an initial altitude of 3,000’ AGL and recover no lower than2,500’ AGL.
AI.X.B.S5 Landing configuration demonstration.
a. Establish and maintain design/operating maneuvering speed appropriate to the airplane’s weight while describing pitch, power, and trim inputs to maintain altitude and airspeed, then;
b. Slow the airplane to, and maintain, the appropriate limiting airspeeds and fully extend the landing gear and flaps (as appropriate), then;
c. With gear and flaps fully extended (as applicable), slow the airplane to, and maintain, reference landing speed (or as specified by the evaluator), noting the power setting required, then;
d. With gear and flaps fully extended, continue to slow the airplane to, and maintain, an airspeed at which any further increase in angle of attack, increase in load factor, or reduction in power would result in an immediate stall, and maintain that airspeed in level flight, noting the airspeed and power setting required, while;
e. Verbally acknowledging stall warning indications, then;
f. Without changing power setting, lower the pitch attitude and accelerate to a faster airspeed until reestablishing the airplane in in level flight, noting the new airspeed and amount of altitude lost, then;
g. Return to normal cruise flight at the altitude and heading specified by the evaluator
See me if you have any questions.
Marc Nathanson
