I suppose one advantage I may have here (which may contribute to my astonishment that the AF447 crew didn’t fully appreciate their situation) is that, as a Fast Jet QFI, I practice stalling airborne with almost monotonous regularity.
When we teach SABIRS on the ground and in the sim, we then go and fly it and experience all the effects first hand. I have done them at night as well (not in the UK I hasten to add, but in other Air Forces where they don’t mind doing such things) and the signs are all there.
I realise a direct comparison between an A330 and a small FJ is a little specious but flying is flying at the end of the day.
BV