The optimal post - stall maneuver model is put forward based on nonlinear point - mass aircraft dynamics.A numerica1 procedure on optimization of minimum - time maneuver is then established , in which a punishment function is.defined to handle the constraints , and the conjugate gradient method is employed to search for the optimal solution. The result shows that entering deep post - stall region and rolling around velocity vector can he1p to change flight path reorientation rapidly in within -visual-range air combat. It also shows that energy lost must be taken into account in post - stall maneuvers.