Common cues of an approaching stall include buffet, nose drop, and which of the following?

• A. Buffet, nose drop, and reduced control effectiveness.
• B. Increased engine power.
• C. Rapid acceleration.
• D. Clear skies.

Answer: (A)

When a wing gets close to the stall, the airflow over it starts to separate, causing a loss of lift and a change in how the airplane responds to controls. Buffet is the choppiness you feel as the airflow becomes turbulent near the wing. A nose-down pitch often follows because the airplane must reduce angle of attack to regain smooth airflow and lift. The most telling extra cue is reduced control effectiveness: with the airflow disrupted, the elevator and ailerons don’t respond as well, so controls feel lighter or mushier. These cues together—buffet, nose drop, and reduced control effectiveness—signal an imminent stall. Increased engine power or rapid acceleration point to gaining airspeed, not approaching stall, and clear skies don’t indicate stall risk.