When It Goes Sideways: Upset Recovery (AFH Ch. 5)

Loss of control in flight is general aviation's biggest killer — and it is preventable. Chapter 5: what an airplane upset actually is, why the startle response is the first thing to manage, angle-of-attack awareness, and the recovery priorities that put the airplane back to work for you.In this episode:What counts as an upset: pitch, bank, and airspeed outside normal bounds The startle factor: managing yourself before managing the airplane Angle of attack: the one number the wing actually cares about Stall and spin awareness and recovery priorities Upset prevention: the habits that keep it from going sideways at allSources: FAA Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Chapter 5. Also referenced: **Chapter taught:** Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Chapter 5 — Maintaining Aircraft Control: Upset Prevention and Recovery Training.; 14 CFR part 61, section 61.156 — full upset training in a high-fidelity flight simulation training device as a requirement for a multiengine airplane ATP certificate.; 14 CFR part 91 — parachute requirements referenced when reviewing an airplane's approval for intentional spins.; 14 CFR part 61, section 61.156: FSTD-based upset training required for a multiengine airplane ATP; intentional spins only if approved (type certificate/AFM/POH/placards) with part 91 parachute requirements reviewed.; **Handbook edition:** FAA-H-8083-3C.; **Episode description disclosure:** Maya and Rico are AI-generated hosts. Episodes are produced from official FAA public-domain source material. Education and entertainment only — not flight instruction; always consult your CFI and the current FAR/AIM.. Current as of August 2026 — always verify against the current FAR/AIM.Maya and Rico are AI-generated hosts. Episodes are produced from official FAA public-domain source material. Education and entertainment only — not flight instruction; always consult your CFI and the current FAR/AIM.