Spinning

A spin flight activity endorsement is required to perform spins. It limits the pilot to upright spins above 3,000 ft AGL. The Part 61 MOS includes these competency elements in FAE-8:

  • enter and establish an upright spin
  • recover within the number of turns normally required for upright spin recovery in the aircraft type

and underpinning knowledge including:

  • (a) actions required to recover from an incipient spin (wing drop at point of the stall);
  • (c) blanketing effects the elevator can have on the rudder during spin recovery;
  • (i) effects of C of G position on spin performance and acceleration;
  • (j) difference between a spin and spiral dive;
  • (k) factors which may lead to a flat spin;
  • (l) difference between an upright and an inverted spin;
  • (o) standard spin entry and recovery techniques for the aircraft being flown;
  • (r) Mueller-Beggs spin recovery action and limitations on its application;

You can see by the text struck through above how CASA had, for many years, used the term “incipient spin” interchangeably with “wing drop at the stall”. It is important to understand the difference. From the FAA Flight Test Guide, AC23-8C, “A spin is a sustained autorotation at angles-of-attack above stall“. That is the definition applicable to the aircraft AFM or POH.

If it is a stall with a wing drop then use the stall recovery method. An incipient spin is a spin so use the spin recovery method in the AFM/POH.

My advice on getting your spin endorsement is to go to a flight instructor who specialises in aerobatics or who has significant experience in spin and aerobatic training. Consider the suitability of the aircraft type used in training. Can you meet the CASA requirement above to “establish and upright spin” or does it transition rapidly to a spiral dive?

Always remember that the spin recovery method for the type in which you gained you spin endorsement is probably going to be different than the type(s) you subsequently fly. So it is important that you find out, from the AFM/POH what the appropriate technique is and commit it to memory.

On other pages you will find:

  • reliable reference documents
  • my rants on stall & spin training deficiencies
  • guidance for the instructor spin training endorsement

I recommend that CASA publish an Advisory Circular on this topic.