When Does an Airplane Actually Stall?

Most pilots know an airplane stalls when it exceeds the critical angle of attack. But does it always happen at the same control position? In this video I fly a Cessna 172 through a series of controlled stall tests to investigate "stall stick position." We compare: • Power-off stalls • Power-on stalls • Flaps up and flaps down • Turning stalls • Slipping stalls • Forward and aft center of gravity Before each test I predict where I believe the airplane will stall, then compare those predictions to the actual results. The experiment demonstrates why angle of attack remains constant while stick position does not—and why understanding the physics is far more valuable than memorizing rules of thumb. If you're a student pilot, flight instructor, or simply interested in aerodynamics, I hope you enjoy the discussion. Fly safe!