Spins

[garf12]

I think its a good idea to experience one. I had my CFI demonstrate one for me right before I took my private test. One was enough for me though, I just about punched a grumpy.

 

[sky37d]

A friend of mine and I were taking flight lessons at about the same time, in the same sequence, and with the same instructor. He stalled the 152, and then put it in a spin. The instructor recovered, and he hated stalls ever since.

 

[Steveair]

Go do the spin! Great experience! Good Times! Remember, we do these to recognize the conditions leading up to the spin and to recover with a minimum loss of altitude. There's no reason not to practice so long as you are with a CFI who is experienced with them and the aircraft is within limitiations.

Here's the real question...

WHY is it you can spin a Warrior in England but not the US?

 

[Mr. Cole]

I posted this on an aviation newsgroup recently, but it seems appropriate to post on this topic as well. Before doing stalls as a private student I was as nervous about doing them as most of us are. But after having them demonstrated I realized they were no big deal and I actually enjoyed them. Then one lesson while doing power-on stalls I had a wing drop and thought we were about to spin. I recovered from the drop correctly by using top rudder, and in hindsight realize I wasn't close to spinning the 172. But I realized at that point that stalls weren't the ultimate unknown, it was spins. So I went from being confident in doing stalls to being a little apprehensive. I ultimately went on to do spin training, including inverted spins, and several hours of aerobatic training. The interesting part is that while I love spins, I still don't like to do stalls. I think it's because with a spin I know the outcome. But with a stall you have a little less certainty about how and when exactly the stall will break. With a spin I feel like I'm getting to where I'm going to ultimately end up, but in a stall I'm not quite there yet. But once I'm doing stalls they're just fine, but I would prefer to just do a spin.

Dave

 

[dabandermac]

if >3500 agl the aircraft (let's say a C172) should come out of the spin on its own if left alone, correct?

 

[Steveair]

if >3500 agl the aircraft (let's say a C172) should come out of the spin on its own if left alone, correct?

Two things...

1. Can you really "SPIN" a 172? I've never really been able to get anything more than a steep spiral out of it.

2. AOPA or the FAA, I don't remember who, recommended that if you get into a spin and you haven't had spin training, you should just let go.

This is 100% true. When you start doing your spin training, you'll find that neutralizing the controls will practically stop the spin. In my experience, the 172 will always come out of the spin. In the Decathlon, I find that if you let go prior to the spin entering the fully developed phase, the Deca will recover on its own. After that, you've gotta bring the controls inputs to recover.

If you want to learn more, here's some more info since I have nothing to do! (remember, if you ever quit learning, you better quit flying).

How can you recognize a spin v. steep spiral?
- Airspeed will increase in a steep spiral.

Why not bring in power?
- Increased airflow over the tail = more tail down force = flat spin.
- Thrust centerline is above CG = tail down.

Why not use ailerons?
- Spin to the right and you apply left aileron. Right aileron up, left down. Left aileron acts as a flap / produces more lift. However, that also produces more drag (induced), which tightens the spin.

4 Phases of a Spin?
- Entry, Incipient, Recovery

Types of Spins?
Upright, inverted, flat.

C172 Spin Limitations?
- Utility Category only, No people in the backseat, everything secured. (Section 2 - Limitations)

Hope that helps / have fun!

 

[soarby007]

I totally agree with Lead Sled.

Yes you can spin a 172 if you try real hard and yes it will recover on it's own, assuming you are not out of CG. Most of the single engine Cessnas will recover on their own. The best training I ever had was the aerobatic course in Chandler, Az. in the Great Lakes doing evey spin imaginable, and that was the easy part of the course.

When I was instructing I found out that students sometimes didn't conceptualize what a spin was unless demonstrated and shown what conditions will get you there. They didn't want a full blown 3 turn spin, just the incipient phase was enough. But if the guy didn't want it, I just did the ground training for what it was worth.