How do pilots know the plane is going to stall?

[titanic3]

In real life, there was no stall buzzer (right?), so how did pilots know they were able to stall?
Likewise, how did they know they weren't pulling the maximum amount of Gs if they were afraid to stall?

Did the plane shake? Did it just snap stall?

[MachFly]

Generally you start feeling buffeting and the center of lift moving back.

However specific aircraft have their own stall characteristics. For example my DA42 does not buffet at all, as your approach the stall it's like normal, normal, normal, stall. But this is a rather rare characteristic.

[VonMessa]

There are stall buzzers (vanes) that you can put on your GA aircraft.

Sometimes the airspeed gauge is color-coded, as well, for take-off/flap speed/Vne, etc but I would not bet my life on it.

It is best to know your aircraft's flight characteristics.

[MachFly]

There are stall buzzers (vanes) that you can put on your GA aircraft.

I think he is asking for ways to identify the stall without the buzzer.

Also the stall horn (buzzed) normally turns on as you approach the stall not as soon as the plane stalls.

[VonMessa]

I think he is asking for ways to identify the stall without the buzzer.

Also the stall horn (buzzed) normally turns on as you approach the stall not as soon as the plane stalls.

Correct.

I am a better student than I am a teacher.

[BravoT]

In real life, there was no stall buzzer (right?), so how did pilots know they were able to stall?
Likewise, how did they know they weren't pulling the maximum amount of Gs if they were afraid to stall?

Did the plane shake? Did it just snap stall?

The same way pilots today (should) know when they are approaching a stall - know thy airplane.

Case in point, I fly various 172s where the stall horns are generally inoperative.  If I cover up the airspeed indicator to simulate a failure (which I've done many times), I don't suddenly fall out of the sky.

[hawkeye61]

Airframe buffet and the stall horn, in here. In general, you are max performing in your turn when you have a "nibble" of buffet. Loosen up your pull and you are not turning as hard as you can. Pull harder from the nibble and you'll stall - depending on how close you are and how hard you pull.

If you had an AoA gauge you could also tell how close you are to stalling, but I don't think that applies to any of the AH plane set. Remember, planes stall because the wing exceeds the critical AoA. This can happen at any attitude and airspeed.

[titanic3]

Airframe buffet and the stall horn, in here. In general, you are max performing in your turn when you have a "nibble" of buffet. Loosen up your pull and you are not turning as hard as you can. Pull harder from the nibble and you'll stall - depending on how close you are and how hard you pull.

If you had an AoA gauge you could also tell how close you are to stalling, but I don't think that applies to any of the AH plane set. Remember, planes stall because the wing exceeds the critical AoA. This can happen at any attitude and airspeed.

  I know how they stall in AH. I'm only 20% noob  .

So basically, planes stall differently in RL, some gently and some abruptly. My question is, what happens to the planes that stall abruptly? Would a newer pilot know what to do so suddenly?

[earl1937]

  I know how they stall in AH. I'm only 20% noob  .

So basically, planes stall differently in RL, some gently and some abruptly. My question is, what happens to the planes that stall abruptly? Would a newer pilot know what to do so suddenly?

If the flight instructor does his or her job correctly, during your primary training, you will trained to recognize approaching stalls in st right ahead, power off, st right ahead, full power, climbing turns, full power, and power off climbing turns. ALL general aviation aircraft certified by the FAA as airworthy must have a working stall warning device, which is usually 5 to 8 MPH before stall speed is reached, IAS. This device is checked each year at the aircraft's annual inspection. If it doesn't work, it is grounded until repair, or if it has to be taken to a different repair station for repairs, a temporary Air worthiness, 1 time flight, is issued by a FAA, or their Representative. There are GADO offices around the U.S. and anyone who answers the phone can guide you through the proper procedures, if in doubt.

[hitech]

All aircraft do not have stall horns.

I have flown 4 that do not

P51d.
Rv8
Piper Cub.
Decathlon.

The P51d I stalled multiple times while dog fighting another mustang. It's really doesn't give much warning, the instructor said he could hear a "growl" in the air scoop just prior to departure. I couldn't hear it. But you could hook it back up in about a 1/4 snap with accelerated stalls.

The Rv8 I have stalled at almost all speeds and all attitudes, Inverted stalls  are very interesting. But postive g stalls it gives a very nice tickle/buffet prior to departure.

HiTech

[Tupac]

Have you done cross controlled stalls in your RV8? I did them with a buddy in his RV7....Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

[hitech]

Have you done cross controlled stalls in your RV8? I did them with a buddy in his RV7....Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Yes I have done pretty much everything in the RV except slide it backwards, but I don't care for snaps or spins much in the RV8, the tail seems to buffet fairly hard during both.

HiTech

[MachFly]

My question is, what happens to the planes that stall abruptly? Would a newer pilot know what to do so suddenly?

Most people do their training on forgiving aircraft such as C172s for that exact reason (I didn't ).

[MachFly]

Rv8

If you really wanted it you could have installed it there without any significant problems, right?

[hitech]

If you really wanted it you could have installed it there without any significant problems, right?

Yes except most people would install an AOA indicator vs a simple stall horn.

I have always want to fly a plane with an AOA indicator, to see what short field landings were like using it.

HiTech