Spins are a condition of stalled flight. Often the incipient spin is practised with only the stalled condition developed. However it is probably better to feel a bit of rotation before recovery is initiated. The ‘crossed control’ entry is usually the best way to achieve this, and the most realistic scenario for the spin to develop. The outline for this exercise is:
- Student checked on performance of CALL check.
- Student coached into slow flight and a shallow turn.
- Instructor takes control with student following through.
- Instructor demonstrates spin entry with simultaneous application of pro-turn yaw while holding off the bank.
- Instructor demonstrates spin recovery.
- Student given control and checked on clearing turn performance.
- Instructor coaches student through spin entry and recovery.
- Incipient spins practised as height and position to the normal circuit allows.
For our purposes, incipient spins are defined as a stalled condition where rotation is just starting. Anything less we define to be a stall or a wing drop stall which will require normal stall recovery. The incipient can be entered and practised with students after they are proficient at stall recovery. The incipient is best demonstrated in its most insidious form. From a gentle turn the pilot over uses the rudder and attempts to hold the wings at the same gentle bank. The student should be able to relat the banking effects of the rudder to previous secondary effect of the controls and sideslip training and review the symptoms of the stall. If we start the incipient from this attitude it should be possible to let it go until not only does the wing drop but the nose starts to swing in the direction of the ensuing spin. Recovery is as with full spins (see the next section). Many training gliders are often not as prone to the incipient from this entry and may require more abrupt control inputs to do this exercise.