CFI Spin Requirements

In preparing for the CFI I was surprised to learn that many CFIs have
never done a spin. I wondered how this could be, until I carefully
reviewed the Section 61.105-107

There's no *requirement* to actually spin -- only that the applicant
exhibits knowledge of "(11) Stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and
spin recovery techniques for the airplane and glider category
ratings;"

and has "(1) Receive a logbook endorsement from an authorized
instructor indicating that the applicant is competent and possesses
instructional proficiency in stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and
spin recovery procedures after providing the applicant with flight
training in those training areas in an airplane or glider, as
appropriate, that is certificated for spins; and

(2) Demonstrate instructional proficiency in stall awareness, spin
entry, spins, and spin recovery procedures. However, upon presentation
of the endorsement specified in paragraph (i)(1) of this section an
examiner may accept that endorsement as satisfactory evidence of
instructional proficiency in stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and
spin recovery procedures for the practical test, provided that the
practical test is not a retest as a result of the applicant failing
the previous test for deficiencies in the knowledge or skill of stall
awareness, spin entry, spins, or spin recovery instructional
procedures. If the retest is a result of deficiencies in the ability
of an applicant to demonstrate knowledge or skill of stall awareness,
spin entry, spins, or spin recovery instructional procedures, the
examiner must test the person on stall awareness, spin entry, spins,
and spin recovery instructional procedures in an airplane or glider,
as appropriate, that is certificated for spins;"

So technically .. if one found a complicit CFI, one could be a
Certified Flight Instructor with absolutely no real experience
actually entering or recovering from a spin.

This squares with some (scary) things I've heard regarding "90 day
wonder" CFI/IIs who have never been in IMC, never fully stalled, and
never used an E-6B (electronic or manual).

Dan