Spin Training

[Oscar]

Somewhat like the weather - everybody talks about it..

 

Well, the DDSAA (Darling Downs Sport Aircraft Association), based at Clifton, IS doing something!

 

They have engaged a GA aero instructor with a suitable aircraft, to conduct spin training for all members who wish to attend, this weekend.

 

At the recent Safety Seminar held at Clifton it was suggested that we offer

 

to members the opportunity to experience flight in an aircraft capable of

 

doing spin training exercises.

 

 

 

Some twenty plus members indicated an interest in undergoing this specialist

 

training experience to better equip themselves for a situation if it should

 

develop at some time through their flying career. This is a lead up to the

 

RAAus Safety month later this year. RAAus is promoting safety in aviation

 

through the Clear Mind, Clear Prop slogan and spin training is one aspect to

 

improving your safety awareness and being prepared for the unexpected.

 

 

 

We have secured Don Mitchell to do this training for us ( he is a GA

 

aerobatics instructor) and it will occur this coming weekend on Friday,

 

Saturday and some of Sunday.

 

 

 

Costs are not yet confirmed for it will depend on how many avail themselves

 

of this unique opportunity to better their training and to acquire this

 

specialist skill and understanding, but please bring along folding paper for

 

payment. Don will appropriately endorse your log books indicating that you

 

have done this training.

 

 

 

Trevor urgently needs to know if you are available over a part of these

 

three days this weekend and on what day you would like to do your training.

 

First in first served.

 

To optimise time available, we may well aim for a spin briefing session in

 

the early am, followed by the flight sequences throughout the day.

 

Let's hope we get some feedback on this from attendees, and that it encourages other Clubs, FTFs etc. to do the same!

 

 

[djpacro]

Good stuff! I passed by yesterday on my way north. Will wave as I fly over on my way home on Monday.

 

 

[terryc]

Somewhat like the weather - everybody talks about it..Well, the DDSAA (Darling Downs Sport Aircraft Association), based at Clifton, IS doing something!

 

They have engaged a GA aero instructor with a suitable aircraft, to conduct spin training for all members who wish to attend, this weekend.

 

That's a great idea, well done. I hope you have applied to raa for some financial assistance. This is a, real safety focus not just a slogan, key ring tag or random logbook checks

[facthunter]

Support this sort of thing. I just know I would have died many times without understanding the essence of stalls spins and spirals. There is no guarantee it will be picked up generally, although I would hope so. You will be more (justifiably) confident and capable of keeping and getting out of trouble, after you do it. Nev

 

 

[SSCBD]

To those who have not spun aircraft - MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, I would hope all that can do this as its highly valuable training and may save your life one day.

 

Also - I have no connection with the above at Clifton or its commercial operations.

 

 

[mnewbery]

I did my spin training in a C150 Aerobat over Lake George south of Goulburn.

 

As both a GA and RA driver I also recommend spin training in an approved aircraft.

 

Caveat: I am a member of DDSAA. I fully support this organised activity and hope to participate in an event such as this in the future.

 

 

[facthunter]

You need to do the lot.... Spins, Spirals and unusual attitude recovery. Nev

 

 

[mnewbery]

I've never heard of anyone doing spins and not the rest of it. So yes, totally agree. I just call it spin training.

 

 

[Oscar]

I will be looking forward to any feedback we get about this initiative.

 

As a glider pilot, we were required to be competent in spin recovery - because every time you thermal, you are operating on the edge of an incipient spin. I freely admit that I don't ENJOY spinning - I'm not at all aerobatically inclined - and I regard dropping into an incipient spin and recovering from it as a waste of height and time across the ground. However - due to my training and frequent checks - I don't FEAR spinning, so I was always happy to claw my way up in a thermal and take those 'doughey' moments as the pressure on the stick from ailerons goes unfeeling and your backside tells you the aircraft is falling into a spin, as a) something to be dealt with, and b) inaccurate flying on my part.

 

What I hope to hear as feedback, is not that people have suddenly been thrown out of their comfort zone into the world of 'aerobatics', but that they have gained understanding of: a) the transitional phase, and b) THAT IT CAN BE DEALT WITH.

 

Now, fairly obviously, if you fly an aircraft that has sudden transition from controlled to uncontrolled flight, your instinctive reactions training is going to need to be damn good. Gliders are fairly benign aircraft; something like a Lancair 320 /360 that flicks from the stall into a 70-degree or so wing drop is anything BUT benign. It would scare the cr#p out of me. And Lancair 3X series aircraft have killed WAY too many people in stall/spin accidents; if you are Keith Englesman, it's all in a day's work, but I am no K.E.

 

To me, the ultimate benefit of spin training is an understanding - and the 'feeling' - of when it is about to happen, and what to do about that. However - I believe that you can't get the full understanding and feeling, unless you have actually progressed beyond the transitional phase - because what you are 'feeling' - in particular - doesn't make sense until you know where that goes. Plus - you need the confidence of knowing that the remedial action WILL WORK.

 

It's not a lot different to the training you would get - if we had decent driving test standards - on a skid-pan. Handling either understeer or oversteer in a low--grip situation is a necessary skill for driving, and it is NOT taught at all as routine. Jumping on the brakes in either case is usually the worst possible reaction, but about 98%+ of all drivers do not ever understand that and end up crashing as a result.

 

THIS: is how a (superlatively skilled) operator can recover safely from what seems an impossible situation. If the rest of us can get training to evade bad consequences from a situation about 5% as bad as that - then that training has been absolutely worth it!

 

 

 

[Pearo]

I have done some limited unusual attitude and spirals. Yet to do fully developed spins but its on my list of things to do.

 

 

[graham brown]

If you want to learn spins/spirals/unusual attitude recovery roll up to any gliding club. They will be happy to do the lot with you. Its annual check time now so they are doing it all the time for the renewals. Make sure you get a glider that spins well. An old ASK K13 is ideal as it will show you more than the newer gliders.

 

 

[facthunter]

Like the stall recoveries we do (from level flight) with the "classic " technique that uses about 200' at least to recover. Useless!! almost. You can say you have "done" stalls, but so what? In a low level situation you will be dead, if you don't recover more quickly at a low height..

 

Likewise, IF you end up in a proper, fully developed, spin, you will lose probably 1,000' of height to safely recover, IF you recognise it. Know exactly what to do, and do it without hesitation, so again, for your survival you must not let yourself get into THAT low level situation. Height is your friend when you spin. Below a certain height you won't recover in time to avoid a disaster. . The Buccaneer had no hope of recovering at the height it was at.

 

So... Obviously AVOIDING a spin may be where you must direct your attention, unless you have a safe height and are deliberately spinning for your education and practice. THAT is already in our syllabus. Nev

 

 

[graham brown]

Teaching/experiencing spin entry is worth while too. Most think the speed needs to be slow/stall speed but angle of attack and co ordination play an important role. A demonstration of this always gets the attention of pilots. No more over ruddered flat turns after they see a spin entry at speeds well above stall.

 

 

[Pearo]

This has gee'd me up a bit. Given I dont have time at the moment to do my PIFR, I might book a couple of lessons in the Citabria and have a go at spinning.

 

 

[M61A1]

I believe that the Sunshine Coast Aero club also has such training available.

 

Flight Store

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1KTokG4FPY

 

Also Darling Downs Soaring Club has been running spin training in gliders.

 

Spin Clinics

 

 

[facthunter]

Don't use out of spin aileron on entry with the Citabria. It has Frise ailerons and the technique doesn't work. Keep stick central and go right back with full rudder. Nev.

 

 

[Rastus]

Darling Downs Soaring Club offers spin and unusual attitude awareness as well. Aimed at power pilots.

 

Spin Clinics

 

http://www.ddsc.org.au/documents/brochures/DDSCspinClinic.pdf

 

Robert

 

 

[facthunter]

That can't be a bad thing for anyone who needs some exposure. It doesn't have to be a powered plane but the stall recovery is better with power and a different technique possible. Nev

 

 

[Ultralights]

Spin training is invaluable can be done in Sydney at Red Baron.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw75rNaTNT0

 

what i would like to see more of, is correct stall training! release back pressure, get AOA below stalling AOA, not the nosedive and firewall the throttle that some are taught

 

 

[facthunter]

Why would you open the throttle with the nose well below the horizon? You will need more height to recover at the higher speed and a steep nosedown attitude at low level may be not recoverable in the height available anyhow, whatever you do from that point on. Nev

 

 

[Aldo]

I attended the spin training session organised by Trevor Bange today at Clifton, the training was conducted by Don Mitchell. The event was very well organised as I have previously done spinning during my training (back in the 80's) and a couple of sessions since I found the refressher to be very good. Procedures completed were as follows.

 

• Straight and level stalls both clean and full flap
   
   
  
• Incipient spins and recovery
   
   
  
• Fully developed spins (2 turns) and recovery
   
   
  
• Head in your lap, eyes closed unusual attitude including spinning (2 turns) open eyes head up and recovery
   
   
  
• Loops
   
   
  
• Barrel rolls
   
   
  
• And to finish off a simulated engine failure 4 miles from the field, slide slipping and glide approach.
   
   
  

 

 

Trevor runs a very slick operation at Clifton and I would recommend this training or as in my case a refressher to all. The entire training cost me $200.

 

Trevor had also arranged a flyin to Wellcamp as an RA PR exercise 30 plus aircraft participated which went very smoothly from all reports. All in all a very good day.

 

Don was also able to endorse my part 61 licence with spinning.

 

Regards

 

Aldo