ADVANCED PILOT TAKING YOUR TICKET TO NEW FLIGHT LEVELS CFI TO CFI TEACHING SPINS Turn a blur into a rewarding lesson ยป By Catherine Cavagnaro JASON SCHNEIDER CFI TO CFI More tips and advice for CFIs can be found in the CFI to CFI monthly newsletter. Search the archives for topics (www.aopa. org/Pilot-Resources/Air-SafetyInstitute/Safety-Publications/ CFI-to-CFI-Newsletter). WHAT I REMEMBER most about my spin training is-well, actually, what I don't remember. I had been briefed thoroughly during ground school; nevertheless, those first few spins were just a blur. Once I gathered my bearings, I used the ground reference to count the rotations and maintain my orientation during the spin. But at first my only thought was incredulity that anyone would do this on purpose. Who knew that someday spin and aerobatic instruction would be my specialty? Most people who come for spin training aren't seeking a thrill. The idea of encountering a spin inadvertently is scary, so getting a jump on it seems prudent. Still, getting up the nerve to arrange a spin course can be daunting. I've been there. Fortunately, I found an experienced instructor who made it clear that safety was the highest priority. It didn't hurt that he also made it fun. I've taught spins and aerobatics to student pilots with fewer than 15 hours on up to professional pilots and flight instructors. I've learned that fear of spins is independent of the hours in a logbook. The Aviation Instructor's Handbook (FAA-H-8083-9A) cautions that the element of fear does not promote effective learning. So the first flight introduces the unusual flight attitudes SEPTEMBER 2014 FLIGHT TRAINING / 55http://www.aopa.org/Pilot-Resources/Air-Safety-Institute/Safety-Publications/CFI-toCFI-Newsletter http://www.aopa.org/Pilot-Resources/Air-Safety-Institute/Safety-Publications/CFI-toCFI-Newsletter