← All explained questions · Supplemental · VII — Slow Flight, Stalls, and Spins
During slow flight maneuvering, the back side of the power curve refers to
Choices
the regime where adding power INCREASES airspeed.
Adding power on the back side primarily counters induced drag, not directly accelerating.
✓ the regime where MORE power is required to maintain altitude as airspeed DECREASES.correct
opposite of normal cruise. Pilots sometimes are surprised that pulling back further requires MORE power, not less, near stall. Power required vs airspeed curve: there's a minimum somewhere (roughly Vy / max endurance airspeed). BELOW that minimum, less airspeed = MORE power needed because induced drag rises sharply at high AoA. This is the back side. Slow flight is taught here because pilots must learn the inverse relationship — pull back to slow further = need more throttle.
the descent power setting.
Descent power is unrelated.
the maximum range power setting.
Max range is on the FRONT side of the curve.
Why
opposite of normal cruise. Pilots sometimes are surprised that pulling back further requires MORE power, not less, near stall. Power required vs airspeed curve: there's a minimum somewhere (roughly Vy / max endurance airspeed). BELOW that minimum, less airspeed = MORE power needed because induced drag rises sharply at high AoA. This is the back side. Slow flight is taught here because pilots must learn the inverse relationship — pull back to slow further = need more throttle.
FAA source: PHAK Ch 5, AFH Ch 4; PHAK Chapter 5 — Aerodynamics of Flightbrowse the reference library →
Original study question written for this course — representative of FAA knowledge-test topics, not an actual current FAA exam question.