When approaching a stall, what control surface should primarily be used for recovery?

In the context of stall recovery, the primary control surface to focus on is the elevator. When an aircraft is approaching a stall, it typically has a high angle of attack, where the wings may not be generating sufficient lift. The role of the elevator is to manage the pitch of the aircraft. By pushing the control yoke or stick forward, the pilot reduces the angle of attack, thus allowing airflow to reattach to the wings and restoring lift.

While the rudder and ailerons can also play roles in recovery, their primary functions relate to yaw and roll, respectively, rather than directly addressing the angle of attack. Use of the rudder may assist in maintaining coordinated flight if there are indications of yaw, particularly in a turn during a stall, whereas ailerons can be used to address any unwanted roll. However, the critical first step in recovery is lowering the angle of attack using the elevator, making it the most important control surface to focus on during stall recovery.

Engaging ailerons and rudder without first managing the pitch with the elevator could lead to further complications or exacerbate the stall condition, illustrating why elevator input is paramount.