ManeuveringAt LowAltitude:

Spins

ManeuveringAt LowAltitude:

Spins

Lindsay, OKLindsay, OK

CaseCaseStudyStudy

Web

Movie

Common ScenarioCommon 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

DiscussionDiscussion

• 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?

DiscussionDiscussion

• 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?

DiscussionDiscussion

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

DiscussionDiscussion

DiscussionDiscussion

“There are four phases of a spin: entry, incipient, developed, and recovery.”

Source: Airplane Flying Handbook, Pg. 4-13 and Fig. 4-10

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

DiscussionDiscussion

DiscussionDiscussion

Source: Airplane Flying Handbook, Fig. 4-10

Wing AOAs are Wing AOAs are unequal during a spinunequal during a spin

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

DiscussionDiscussion

DiscussionDiscussionStep 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?

DiscussionDiscussion

• When is a spin most likely to occur?

DiscussionDiscussion

DiscussionDiscussion

Source: FAA General Aviation Accident CausesPowerPoint Slides, September 8, 2010

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Maneuvering-low-alt flying - Collision withterr/obj (non-CFIT)

Maneuvering-low-alt flying - Loss ofcontrol in flight

Enroute-cruise - Loss of control in flight

Enroute - VFR encounter with IMC

Initial climb - Aerodynamic stall/spin

Enroute-cruise - Controlled flight intoterr/obj (CFIT)

Maneuvering - Midair collision

Maneuvering-low-alt flying - Low altitudeoperation/event

Maneuvering-low-alt flying - Aerodynamicstall/spin

Initial climb - Loss of control in flight

Maneuvering - Loss of control in flight

PrimaryPrimary

SecondarySecondary

• When spinning, the slip/skid ball is totally unreliable for determining spin direction.

—But what instrument does provide reliable spin direction information (upright spins)?

DiscussionDiscussion

• 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?

DiscussionDiscussion

DiscussionDiscussionStep 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?

DiscussionDiscussion

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

DiscussionDiscussion

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

DiscussionDiscussion

CFI ApplicantsCFI Applicants

Reference: Airplane Flying Handbook, Chapter 4

Logbook endorsement that applicant has demonstrated competency in spin entries, spins, and spin recoveries

CFI ApplicantsCFI Applicants

Reference: Airplane Flying Handbook, Chapter 4

Instructional knowledge of:• Anxiety factors associated with spins• Accident scenarios• Spin aerodynamics• Common errors

• An avoidable spin accidentAn avoidable spin accident• Spin dynamics and aggravating factorsSpin dynamics and aggravating factors• How to determine if an aircraft is approved How to determine if an aircraft is approved

for intentional spinsfor intentional spins• Common errors during intentional spinsCommon errors during intentional spins

SummarySummary

During this forum, we discussed: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 Teamwww.FAASafety.gov

SAFEwww.SafePilots.org

Gold Seal Flightwww.GoldSealFlight.com

AvWebwww.AvWeb.com

Rich Stowell, MCFI-Awww.RichStowell.com

Created December 2010

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