On Wednesday, February 5, 2014 11:19:04 PM UTC-5, OneTango wrote:
This is a voluntary pop quiz. You're circling in a 30 degree left bank at 3000 AGL. You hear a thunk and the glider enters a spin. Your practiced spin recovery technique does not work in the usual amount of time. You look in the direction of the thunk and see that the left spoiler is full open, you confirm that the spoiler control handle is in the fully closed position. A quick look confirms that the right spoiler is full closed. What do you do next? Why did the left spoiler pop open. What just happened? To derive the full benefit of this exercise, you might respond to this thread with your answer before looking at any of the other replies. My hypothetical solution and explanation follows as the next comment.

Dive brake became uncontrollable. It does not matter why.
Apply opposite rudder and unload the wing by neutralizing the stick in pitch while also neutralizing aileron. Open other dive brake to balance assymetrical drag that is helping add yaw in the spin.
Upon recovery, determine if the glider is controllable with one brake open. It will be in any case I would expect.
Get to landable place with one brake out(less drag than 2).
Fly a bit tighter pattern to allow for what is effectively 1/2 brake.
Go to full brakes from high final to balance and allow "normal" landing.
UH