Before I put a student up for solo I always make him or her recover from at least 1 spin. Some instructors call me crazy for this but I find it helps students better overcome their fears. Many students have this predetermined idea that spins are the “end all” for pilots. That statement is very far from the truth. Let me explain.
A few years ago I was helping a student get ready for his checkride. In fact his checkride was the next day! So for our last flight before the big test I decided to play “examiner” and really be tough on him.
He was doing so well until it came time to practice stalls. We climbed to 5,500 feet, made our clearing turns, conducted our pre-maneuver checklist and were ready to go. I asked him to do a power on turning stall to the right.
“I can’t do that!” he said. “We’ll spin for sure!” At this point in my flight instruction career I had never really taught spins like I do now. We would just talk about them on the ground which I found out to be a big mistake.
We entered the maneuver and he added a 15 degree bank to the right. The stall warning horn came on in full ear piercing force as our airspeed dropped to levels you should only see taxiing into the wind!
The plane quickly began to buffet and before you knew it the plane stalled and turn violently to the left! (opposite of what my student was anticipating)
Thinking quickly my student applied opposite aileron. Which only aggravates the spin more.
The Aerodynamics of a Spin
I quickly shouted back “Bring the throttle back!” (as we had gone from a spin to an accelerated dive into the Vno notch on the airspeed indicator) “Opposite rudder.” I added.
Then before you knew it. There was an incredible calm after the storm. Just like that the problem was solved.
It’s because of this very experience that I take my students up for spins before they solo. What if this student was practicing stalls on his own and this happened?
Remember the 3 Ingredients to spin recovery
Neutral Ailerons
Throttle back to idle
Opposite Rudder
Have you done spins yet? I’ve know students who havent done a spin until it was required to get their CFI ticket!
Don’t wait! Ask you instructor if you can do spins. Not for the fun of it (because they can be fun) But simply to practice recoveries.
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