Stall recovery practice at high altitude is an important part of jet transport training for type rating. In the 737 Classic, use 37,000 ft and maintain height as speed bleeds off after closing the thrust levers. Eventually severe buffet occurs quickly followed by stick shaker. The nose is then smoothly lowered to zero body attitude at the same time climb power applied. The aircraft needs to be trimmed to hold zero body angle in the descent recovery. When the IAS reaches Vref 40 plus 100 knots (typically 230 knots IAS) it is safe to ease out of the descent and the height loss is around 3000 ft. There is no way you should attempt recovery to level flight before reaching Vref 40 plus 100 knots since G buffet will occur again and further height loss will occur.
The Vref40 plus 100 knots comes from the FCTM advice on high altitude holding without an FMC.
Low level stalling with landing flap should be conducted at the outer marker height of typically 1200 ft agl. The worst case scenario of the Turkish Airlines 737 Amsterdam accident is replicated, where closed throttles and almost full back stabiliser trim is caused by the autopilot attempting to hold the ILS glide slope.
Recovery at that low altitude is generally successful providing autopilot and autothrottle are disengaged and full thrust applied. Apply immediate forward stabiliser trim and elevator while selecting between five and seven body angle up to counteract the strong pitch up that occurs at go-around thrust. Respect the stick shaker. Leave gear and flaps at landing flap setting until reaching Vref speed and climbing. Instinctive reaction to retract the flaps to 15 as in a normal go-around procedure, must be avoided since the speed will be around Vref 40 minus 24-30 knots when the stick shaker actuates and a full stall is then unavoidable - deadly at that low altitude. There is no buffet and stick shaker is the first aural indication of a stall.
All the above is an excellent confidence building exercise and a vital handling skill in IMC.
Last edited by A37575; 9th Jun 2012 at 10:38.