General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) Practice Exam

What happens to slats when stall warning signals are received while autoslats are armed?

1. They extend to fully extended

2. They retract to midrange

3. They remain unchanged

4. They lock in place

The correct answer is: They extend to fully extended

When stall warning signals are received while autoslats are armed, the correct action is that they extend to fully extended. This phenomenon occurs because the autoslats are designed to enhance the aerodynamic characteristics of the wing during critical phases of flight, such as approach and landing. The purpose of slats is to increase the wing's lift at higher angles of attack, which is particularly important when a stall is imminent. By fully extending the slats in response to the stall warning, the aircraft benefits from a larger wing surface area and improved airflow over the wings, helping to prevent an actual stall event and maintain control during critical flight conditions. In this context, it's essential to understand that the dynamics of slat deployment are part of the aircraft's safety systems, aimed at minimizing the risk associated with stalls by providing additional lift as the aircraft approaches its performance limits.