On Fri, 9 Apr 2004, Robert M. Gary wrote:

BTW: As a CFI I find the biggest obstacle to spin training is finding
a plane that the owner will let you spin. Most FBOs do instrument
training in their 172s (and everything else) and therefor prohibit
CFIs from spining the crap out of the gyros.

Is wrecking the gyros really a problem with 'modern' gyros, though? (By
modern I mean anything from the 1970s on...)

At my flight school/club, all the planes are used for IFR training, AND
they're all spinnable, except for the one 172 w/ Horton STOL tips &
fences. Tell our Chief Flying Instructor that you're taking a 152 or 172
up for airwork including spins, and he'll just tell you to have a good
flight...

I almost get the impression that 'spinning wrecks gyros' is one of those
old, old stories that's still hanging around, based perhaps on 1940-50s
era gyros, which really would tumble/get damanged if spun. Is this the
instrument equivilent of the 'downwind turn' OWT?

Brian.