During critical maneuvers, what leads to a higher risk of stalling?

Increased bank angle is a significant factor that leads to a higher risk of stalling during critical maneuvers. When an aircraft is banked, the lift vector is tilted, which means that a portion of the lift is used to counteract the weight of the aircraft while the rest contributes to turning. As the bank angle increases, the aircraft requires more lift to maintain altitude because the vertical component of lift decreases. Additionally, the stall speed increases with the increase in load factor; therefore, at steep bank angles, the pilot has to maintain a higher airspeed to avoid a stall.

During critical maneuvers, such as steep turns or during the approach to landing, the combination of increased bank angle and the need to maintain lift can lead to a situation where the aircraft may stall if not managed properly. Pilots must be aware of approaching stall conditions by monitoring their angle of bank and airspeed, especially when performing challenging maneuvers.

In contrast, while decreased engine output, high altitudes, and lower flap settings can contribute to stall risks under certain circumstances, they do not have the immediate and direct influence on stall margins during critical maneuvers as increasing the bank angle does. Understanding the relationship between bank angle and stall risk is essential for