I agree that this is an interesting point. Even experienced, current pilots
can be caught off guard, and perhaps a better training/recognition method
might be in order. Maybe the yaw string can/should be a more integral
part of the program in terms of spin recovery training?

For what it's worth, I have had a couple of unintentional spin entries over
the last 20 years. One in particular sticks in my mind. A guy at the
local gliderport is an experienced aerobatics competitor; he owns a two
place Fox aerobatic glider. He asked me to go up with him one day, since
he was having some trouble getting the Fox to climb. He figured thermals
were a lot cheaper than 5,000 foot aerotows.

We got into a moderate thermal, and I took the controls to show him how we
"real" soaring pilots thermal. I cranked us over to 40 degrees of bank to
core the thermal. "Now, watch how I slow us up to really tighten the
circle..." I said. The owner mentioned that I ought to "be a little
careful [since] stall speed at this..." He never finished the sentence.

Departure was instantaneous. Rotation was spectacular. I recall at first
doing everything wrong. It took me at least one full revolution to realise
that the glider was spinning, and I think it was a couple of seconds more
before I figured out the direction. Fortunately, we were at least 4,000
AGL at the time, and the owner just sat back and let me figure things out.

This flight came on a day when I had been the duty instructor in the club.
I had probably done 4 or 5 incipient spin lessons earlier in the day, and I
probably had 40 hours flying in the preceeding 90 days. So, I was current
and reasonably on top of my game.

This experience just reinforced the fact that the ability to recognize a
spin, especially an unplanned one, is probably not an easy thing to teach.
The normal training mode is thoroughly unnatural, as the student is primed
and ready. The reality is a lot different, and I'm wondering if any of us
emphasize the recognition aspects of the immediate post-departure moments
enough?

Erik Mann (P3)

wrote in message
oups.com...
John,

interesting thoughts. Even with strong visual cues, the more nose down
a spin, the more difficult it might be to surmise its direction. Thus,
a quick reference to the yaw string is in order. Isn't the Pooch known
for its nose down attitude while spinning?

Yet another reason to put the emphasis on stall avoidance and prompt
recovery from prestall conditions. A suprise stall and autorotation at
low altitude presents a great a risk, even for well trained, heads-up
pilots.