Originally Posted by Chris Scott
Is it possible that the EFCS might retain a margin of a couple of degrees from alpha-max when the wings are level, in order to retain manoeuvre capability?
The margin is already in alpha max and that is why alpha max has not been set to alpha stall and V alpha max is not Vs1g.
A very temporary excursion over alpha max is acceptable and is part of the protection mode. The system will not try to achieve anything more than alpha max but it will tolerate an overshoot if turbulence or sudden turn happen when already established at alpha max and of course the system will correct to bring back the AoA where it should be, its alpha max value.