SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/pilot-nose-high-recovery

In a nose-high unusual attitude with falling airspeed, what should you do with power?

Increase power as necessary.

Start playing free

  1. Increase power as necessary ✔
  2. Always reduce power to idle
  3. Leave power unchanged

Why: A nose-high attitude usually brings decreasing airspeed. Add power, lower the nose to prevent a stall, and level the wings with coordinated controls.

Huh, didn't know that: The corrective inputs are made almost together, but the FAA teaches power, pitch, then bank as the sequence.

The dad joke
The nose got too proud, so the pilot helped it come back down to earth.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: Increase power as necessary. A nose-high attitude usually brings decreasing airspeed. Add power, lower the nose to prevent a stall, and level the wings with coordinated controls.

  1. Instrument Flying Handbook www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/pilots/FAA-H-8083-15B.pdf
    If the airspeed is decreasing, or below the desired airspeed, increase power
    Checked 2026-10-09.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

Flying & DronesIn a nose-low unusual attitude with rising airspeed, what should happen first?Flying & DronesWhich condition can lead to an unintentional unusual attitude?Flying & DronesFlying an airplane VFR by day, how much fuel must remain after reaching your first planned landing?

That's stuff everyone should know.