Spin Training!

[chavycha]

I'm working on a CFI-Sport rating, and I got to do my 61.405 required spin training this afternoon. The LSA I fly isn't certified for spins so we went up in a 172. The instructor I flew with is the exact sort of guy who you want to fly with for something like this... cool, calm, and collected.

If you've ever wondered what happens when you bork up and stall while not coordinated... well, won't happen every time, but you could SPIN! Wheeeeee!

He demoed the first one (power off, going to the left)... thought I might lose my lunch. Nothing to grab onto in the 172 cockpit and that left-wing-drop and right-wing-over to inverted sensation is quite a ride. He demoed another in the other direction and then handed the controls to me. Okay, breathe, I can do this.

First try... wing drops, other comes up and over... I reflexively relax the rudder input and we're in a spiral. Try again... same result. Try again... keep the rudder stomped down and it finally starts spinning a bit. Relax the spin inputs and it turns into a spiral dive after a couple turns. Pull up gradually, back to level. Not bad.

He then demos a power-on entry...power off until stall, then full rudder and power to really get 'er yawing. Okay, now THAT is a spin entry. Snapped up and over QUICK. Gives you some more respect for that upwind-crosswind turn spin possibility. Wing-over to inverted, then a rapidly-developing tight spin. Nice.

I did a few with power and got it to go through a few turns in each direction. I think I got at least four on the last one... I was a bit busy to count.

Recovery - PARE! Power to idle (it's probably there anyway), aileron neutral (should be there anyway), full opposite rudder (the 172 starts recovering the moment you put in any opposite rudder), and then elevator forward to break the stall (again, the 172 starts recovering at neutral).

It was great to see how much input was required to get the 172 to spin (hint: A TON), and then how straightforward the recovery was. The controls do in fact do something, even if you're scared. Also cool to see that I've apparently internalized some of my training and my subconscious reaction was to take my foot off the pro-spin rudder input the moment the wing started dropping.

Though we were only up for 45 minutes or so, I felt that this was the most interesting and productive flight lesson I've taken.

[BrianL99]

You really have to work it at it, to spin a 172.

To get it out of a spin, all you really have to do, is take your hands & feet off everything and the airplane will fly itself out.

The 152 takes a bit more work.

[Merlinspop]

My first instructor on my first flight accidentally spun the Tomahawk we were in while demonstrating a stall. He was pretty calm and talked through the recovery and played it off as part of the lesson. I *think* (will have to go back and look) he even put "spin entry and recovery demonstration" in my logbook.

Had I known THEN what I know now about the T-hawk's spin reputation, that might have been my last lesson with the guy. He had me do some unconventional drills but I think they helped in the long run.

[MrMorden]

A friend of mine who owns a flight school has a spin-rated Diamond DA-20 he uses for spin training. I'm due to pay him for an hour of his time and get the training.

Depending on what happens with the medical reform, I might want to get a CFI-Sport myself at some point.

[Flocker]

Depending on what happens with the medical reform, I might want to get a CFI-Sport myself at some point.

+1

[Flocker]

I'm working on a CFI-Sport rating...

Keep us posted on your progress. I've interested in doing this as well at some point.

[FastEddieB]

Depending on what happens with the medical reform, I might want to get a CFI-Sport myself at some point.

I think you'd make a great instructor!

[chavycha]

One of these days I'll write up a comprehensive post about my CFI-Sport training. It's been a great process. I'm learning (or re-learning) a ton. It's amazing how much you're required to know as an instructor, and how little you actually practice on a daily basis while buzzing around as a private (or sport) pilot. I will say this - it's certainly made me a better, more consistent pilot.

[MrMorden]

Depending on what happens with the medical reform, I might want to get a CFI-Sport myself at some point.

I think you'd make a great instructor!

Thanks Eddie!

[Wm.Ince]

Depending on what happens with the medical reform, I might want to get a CFI-Sport myself at some point.

I think you'd make a great instructor!

I also think Andy would make a fine instructor.

[Kelmar]

Timely post, I'm trying to find someone that does spin training in the Phoenix area. Nice to know what to expect.

[chavycha]

Great, glad it was helpful!

Two things:
1. Don't eat a big lunch right before going up.
2. Check out some spin recovery videos on YouTube. They really helped me in preparing for the sight picture.

[designrs]

Thanks for the great write up. Here's a pretty good spin video. It was posted on another thread but I'll reference it again here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er3bgOTsILw

[MrMorden]

Thanks for the great write up. Here's a pretty good spin video. It was posted on another thread but I'll reference it again here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er3bgOTsILw

I've seen that video, but always questioned the wisdom of doing a ten turn spin test with four people aboard. Couldn't that be done better and more safely with weight simulating actual humans?

[designrs]

[I've seen that video, but always questioned the wisdom of doing a ten turn spin test with four people aboard. Couldn't that be done better and more safely with weight simulating actual humans?

Publicity and demonstrated confidence in their product. I'm sure the actual humans were willing participants, employees, test pilots and/or test pilot wannabes or enthusiasts.