Maneuvering At Low Altitude: Spins Maneuvering At Low Altitude: Spins

Lindsay, OK CaseStudy Web Movie

Common Scenario Accident occurred during a flight review Conditions were day, VFR with winds nearby reported at about 5 knots No anomalies were found with flight or power controls, or with the engine Last moments reconstructed using radar data and data recovered from the aircraft’s PFD and MFD

Discussion What are your thoughts about this accident? Where does the first major link occur in the accident chain?

How many warning signs can you identify in the accident sequence? Discussion Relative to the traffic pattern, what elements of stall/spin awareness do you emphasize?

Yaw and stall must both be present in order for an aircraft to spin. —What are the various sources of yaw? Discussion

According to the Airplane Flying Handbook, what are the four phases of a spin? Discussion

Discussion “There are four phases of a spin: entry, incipient, developed, and recovery.” Source: Airplane Flying Handbook, Pg and Fig. 4-10

During a spin, how do the angles of attack of the left and right wings compare? Discussion

Discussion Source: Airplane Flying Handbook, Fig Wing AOAs are unequal during a spin

Unless the manufacturer states otherwise, how should spin recovery inputs be applied? Discussion

Discussion Step 1—REDUCE THE POWER (THROTTLE) TO IDLE. Power aggravates the spin characteristics. Step 2—POSITION THE AILERONS TO NEUTRAL. Ailerons may have an adverse effect on spin recovery. Step 3—APPLY FULL OPPOSITE RUDDER AGAINST THE ROTATION. Make sure that full (against the stop) opposite rudder has been applied. Step 4—APPLY A POSITIVE AND BRISK, STRAIGHT FORWARD MOVEMENT OF THE ELEVATOR CONTROL FORWARD OF THE NEUTRAL TO BREAK THE STALL. This should be done immediately after full rudder application. Step 5—AFTER SPIN ROTATION STOPS, NEUTRALIZE THE RUDDER. Source: Airplane Flying Handbook, Pg. 4-15

Some aircraft can exhibit aggravated spin behavior by design (it’s just their nature). —Even so, what pilot-controlled actions tend to aggravate a spin? Discussion

When is a spin most likely to occur? Discussion

Discussion Source: FAA General Aviation Accident Causes PowerPoint Slides, September 8, 2010 Primary Secondary

When spinning, the slip/skid ball is totally unreliable for determining spin direction. —But what instrument does provide reliable spin direction information (upright spins)? Discussion

In general, the sequence rudder-followed-by- elevator is important during spin recovery. —Unless noted otherwise, how long a delay should there be between these actions? Discussion

Discussion Step 1—REDUCE THE POWER (THROTTLE) TO IDLE. Power aggravates the spin characteristics. Step 2—POSITION THE AILERONS TO NEUTRAL. Ailerons may have an adverse effect on spin recovery. Step 3—APPLY FULL OPPOSITE RUDDER AGAINST THE ROTATION. Make sure that full (against the stop) opposite rudder has been applied. Step 4—APPLY A POSITIVE AND BRISK, STRAIGHT FORWARD MOVEMENT OF THE ELEVATOR CONTROL FORWARD OF THE NEUTRAL TO BREAK THE STALL. This should be done immediately after full rudder application. Step 5—AFTER SPIN ROTATION STOPS, NEUTRALIZE THE RUDDER.

How do you determine if a particular airplane is approved for intentional spins? —And is it ever permissible to intentionally spin when in the Normal category? Discussion

What are some of the common errors made during the execution of intentional spins? Discussion

If you inadvertently spin while cross-controlled, in what direction would you usually expect the rotation to be? Discussion

CFI Applicants Reference: Airplane Flying Handbook, Chapter 4 Logbook endorsement that applicant has demonstrated competency in spin entries, spins, and spin recoveries

CFI Applicants Reference: Airplane Flying Handbook, Chapter 4 Instructional knowledge of: Anxiety factors associated with spins Accident scenarios Spin aerodynamics Common errors

An avoidable spin accident An avoidable spin accident Spin dynamics and aggravating factors Spin dynamics and aggravating factors How to determine if an aircraft is approved for intentional spins How to determine if an aircraft is approved for intentional spins Common errors during intentional spins Common errors during intentional spins Summary During this forum, we discussed:

This presentation would not have been possible without the generous help and support of the following: Your Forum Facilitator FAA Safety Team SAFE Gold Seal Flight AvWeb Rich Stowell, MCFI-A Created December 2010

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