One one occasion, whilst practising PFL`s this same instructor put the 152 into a max rate turn (stall horn chirping) at about 600'. ... Am I right in thinking that if the a/c did stall in a steep turn we would execute some kind of flick roll into the dirt quite rapidly ?
Rottenlungs - short answer is no. Most aircraft will recover almost instantaneously from the situation you describe, providing the controls are neutralised very quickly after the aircraft stalls.
The problem comes if the aircraft had stalled, and the instructor had been slow to relax back pressure. The 152 may have rolled all the way inverted, in which case recovery from 600' with the throttle closed would have been entertaining...
On the plus side, a light aircraft is less likely to 'flick roll' with the throttle closed, as it would have been the case in a PFL. On the other hand, if the instructor had flap down the aircraft is more likely to drop a wing at the stall.
Aircraft with "special" or "restricted" airworthiness certificates may not be so docile. They have different certification rules.
The NZ CAA syllabus for flying training may be found at
the CAA's web site. Try
http://www.caa.govt.nz/rules/ACs.htm for specific guidelines for PPL and CPL training (AC61 is the one you're after).
Enjoy your training!
O8