Flight Training - September 2014 - 38

VARYING SPIN CHARACTERISTICS FOR ONE MODEL.

Control configuration. A single airplane can exhibit
varying spin characteristics because of control
configuration. In the Cessna 152, ailerons with the
spin will result in a faster and flatter condition, while
ailerons against steepen it. Power also creates a flatter
spin than one performed with the throttle at idle.
Other models of aircraft may respond differently to
similar configuration changes.
Weight. Spin characteristics also are affected by
the way the pilot chooses to load the airplane. A
heavier airplane develops greater inertial forces and
moments in the spin, and they can be more difficult
to counteract with the aerodynamic tools (rudder,
elevator) at hand.
Center of gravity position. A forward CG position
typically results in a steeper spin, so the recovery
is faster and doesn't require as much forward yoke
movement. As the CG location moves back, the spin
mode tends to become flatter, and recoveries take
longer. Taken to an extreme, if the airplane is loaded
behind the aft CG limit, there is no guarantee that
elevator authority will suffice for recovery.
The moral of the story is to compute a weight
and balance before every flight to ensure that the
airplane's spin and recovery characteristics will be
up to certification standards. The POH spin recovery
procedure is most efficient, and it should supersede
any other advice for spinning the aircraft.

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT
BENEFITS OF SPIN TRAINING IS
LEARNING TO PERFORM A CHECKLIST
EFFICIENTLY WHILE THE AIRPLANE
IS IN AN UNUSUAL ATTITUDE.

WHY SPIN TRAINING? Given that spin and recovery
characteristics can vary considerably, does it still
make sense to receive spin training in one particular
make and model of airplane? Absolutely. You can
memorize spin recovery procedures all day long,
but until you've actually experienced a spin, how
do you know you'd have the wherewithal to execute
a recovery during an emergent situation? Pushing
forward on the yoke during a spin can be downright
counterintuitive-would you react correctly? How
would you know what the appropriate control
pressures are?
One of the most important benefits of spin training
is learning to perform a checklist (one from memory in
this case) efficiently while the airplane is in an unusual
attitude. To be sure, your first few spins will be eyeopening. Soon, your ability to assess the situation and
act accordingly will improve dramatically. At a certain
point, spins even become fun.
If stalls are uncomfortable, spin training can be just
the thing. Last year I heard from Jack, a student pilot
who had been signed off for his checkride. But Jack
had an intense fear of stalls and could not envision
taking his practical test. He decided to take the spin
course. He learned that in the proper setting-an
airplane approved for intentional spins, generous
altitude in the proper airspace, great flight conditions, and knowledge of spins on board-spinning can
be fun.
Without all those ingredients, however, spinning can turn disastrous. Jack returned home and
completed his checkride with a keener ability to
recognize the onset of a spin-and the confidence of
knowing he can stop it.
For many pilots, stalls form the edge of the comfort
zone because we all know that a spin could be lurking just around that corner. Spin training turns that
corner in a safe, relaxed environment. Truly, there
is nothing like going over the edge to recognize and
appreciate the edge itself.
Catherine Cavagnaro, ATP and CFI-I, owns and operates Ace
Aerobatic School in Sewanee, Tennessee (www.aceaerobatic
school.com). She is a professor of mathematics at the University

RESOURCES
* Stalls and Spins: To Spin or Not to Spin, AOPA aviation
subject report (www.aopa.org/Pilot-Resources/PIC-archive/
Flight-Training-Ratings-and-Proficiency/Stalls-and-Spins/
AOPA-Online-Members-Only-Aviation-Subject-Report-Stallsand-Spins-To-Spin-or-Not-to-Spin.aspx).
* Stalls and Spins: To Spin or Not to Spin, Part 2, AOPA Aviation
Subject Report (www.aopa.org/Pilot-Resources/PIC-archive/
38 /

FLIGHTTRAINING.AOPA.ORG

of the South.

Flight-Training-Ratings-and-Proficiency/Stalls-and-Spins/
AOPA-Online-Members-Only-Aviation-Subject-Report-Stallsand-Spins-To-Spin-or-Not-to-Spin-Part-2-(2).aspx).
* "Technique: The Spin Zone," Dave Hirschman (www.aopa.
org/News-and-Video/All-News/2013/April/1/Technique-Thespin-zone.aspx).

http://www.aceaerobaticschool.com http://www.aceaerobaticschool.com http://www.aopa.org/Pilot-Resources/PIC-archive/Flight-Training-Ratings-and-Proficiency/Stalls-and-Spins/AOPA-Online-Members-Only-Aviation-Subject-Report-Stalls-and-Spins-To-Spin-or-Not-to-Spin-Part-2-(2).aspx http://www.aopa.org/Pilot-Resources/PIC-archive/Flight-Training-Ratings-and-Proficiency/Stalls-and-Spins/AOPA-Online-Members-Only-Aviation-Subject-Report-Stalls-and-Spins-to-Spin-or-Not-to-Spin.aspx http://www.aopa.org/Pilot-Resources/PIC-archive/Flight-Training-Ratings-and-Proficiency/Stalls-and-Spins/AOPA-Online-Members-Only-Aviation-Subject-Report-Stalls-and-Spins-to-Spin-or-Not-to-Spin.aspx http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2013/April/1/Technique-The-spin-zone.aspx http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2013/April/1/Technique-The-spin-zone.aspx http://www.aopa.org/Pilot-Resources/PIC-archive/Flight-Training-Ratings-and-Proficiency/Stalls-and-Spins/AOPA-Online-Members-Only-Aviation-Subject-Report-Stalls-and-Spins-To-Spin-or-Not-to-Spin-Part-2-(2).aspx http://FLIGHTTRAINING.AOPA.ORG

Flight Training - September 2014

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