Surprising comments from someone with your experience as aircraft was NOT stalled :
3.5 more degrees before reaching Alpha Max (P98), and probably another 3 additional degrees to reach Alpha Stall … Raise the nose is effective : Less rate of descent + gentler touchdown … That’s a flare
I don't know about this aircraft but flying as close as possible to the stall doesn't allways produce the lowest rate of descent. For many gliders the lowest rate of descent occurs at a slightly lower AOA/higher speed. Pull up, slow down and you sink faster.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polar_curve_(aviation)
The report says..
however, the airplane did provide maximum performance for the weight and configuration at that time.
But does it explain what "maximium performance" means in this context? Lowest rate of descent? (Who said minimum fuel consumption
)