Which recovery action corresponds to reducing the severity of the maneuver during retreating blade stall recovery?

• A. Reducing airspeed
• B. Increasing bank angle
• C. Reducing the severity of the maneuver (i.e. rolling out)
• D. Pushing forward cyclic

Answer: (C)

In retreating blade stall, the rotor experiences excessive angle of attack on the retreating blade due to the maneuver and bank, so the immediate goal is to reduce the load and the angle of attack driving the stall. The best recovery action is to reduce the severity of the maneuver by rolling out toward level flight. This lessens the bank and cyclic demand, helps the rotor regain RPM and lift, and stops the stall from worsening.

Pushing forward cyclic can momentarily decrease the blade angle, but if you stay in a steep bank, the condition is likely to persist. Reducing airspeed may help in some situations, but it doesn’t address the primary cause as directly as reducing the maneuver’s severity. Increasing bank angle would typically worsen the stall by increasing rotor loading on the retreating blade.