How is stall warning or stick shaker activated?

• A. Exceedance of maximum indicated airspeed.
• B. AoA sensors detecting near-stall conditions and issuing a stall warning or initiating stick shaker.
• C. Loss of cabin pressure.
• D. Autopilot failure.

Answer: (B)

Stall warning and the stick shaker are driven by the angle of attack. The aircraft uses AoA sensors to monitor how steeply the wing meets the oncoming air. When the angle of attack approaches the wing’s critical limit, the warning system activates a stall alert for the pilot and, in many aircraft, triggers the stick shaker to physically vibrate the control column. This immediate feedback helps the crew decrease the angle of attack to prevent a loss of lift.

This isn’t about airspeed alone; you can have high airspeed and still reach a stall if the wing is at a high angle of attack. The other scenarios listed—exceeding maximum indicated airspeed (overspeed), loss of cabin pressure, or autopilot failure—don't directly cause stall warnings or stick shakers.