Half a dozen years ago I was asked on behalf of AAIB to do a bit of flight testing for them. They had had an experienced pilot (although not on that particular type) go from a full power climb fatally into the ground with high speed and bank angle. Nobody could (initially) work out why. The certification standard against which that aircraft was approved hadn't required full power stalls to be evaluated.
We had a suspicion that the pilot had probably not judged the pitch attitude correctly (this type had a very low cockpit coaming compared to what he was used to), and might have entered a full power stall. This was an unknown area of flight in that type, so I went to take a look at it.
Unlike an idle stall which gave plenty of warning and no wing drop, at full power this gave no warning, and the aircraft went straight into incipient spin - disconcerting when I found it the first time.
We theorised (you can never be sure, but I'm convinced) that the aircraft went from a full power stall into a spin, which self-recovered into a spiral dive (a common characteristic of small aeroplanes). Given this was at about 500ft, he had little time or height to play with - so he died and the aircraft was destroyed.
Had that pilot been more familiar with the aircraft (he had about 3000 hrs I see from my notes, but nothing on type and only a few hours on similar types) and/or power-on stalls, he would have probably recognised the impending power-on stall and recovered, or have recognised it when it occurred and responded in a manner that did not cause a spin/spiral dive/ground impact.
We quietly changed the rules at that time to include assessment of full power stalls during certification of similar aircraft.
So, my vote is that practicing power-on stalling is necessary and appropriate (then again, I always have anyhow, and have never had a problem with FAA checkouts).
Anyhow, stalling is fun - where's the problem
. I had a very happy morning this morning practicing various stalls with an instructor to get me back into currency, and have no problems with it at-all. (Although comparing notes over a coffee afterwards, the FI had about 1/3 my hours - I'm getting old
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What sort of thing would you be asked to do as a ground reference manoeuvre?
I recall a checkout instructor once who made me fly a very precise figure-of-eight around a couple of convenient landmarks. Very very good discipline, I've practiced it occasionally since and it's a useful handling practice, particularly if there's significant wind.
G