"Andreas Maurer" wrote in message
...
On 22 Jun 2007 13:28:04 GMT, Al Eddie
wrote:

non-recoverable spin

Define.

And before you do, read the accident reports...!

In Germany there were at least wo spin-related accidents during winch
launches, in both cases instructors on board. Iirc no survivors.



Bye
Andreas

Unfortunately, instructors differ quite a bit in their spin knowledge. I
recall spin training instruction for my CFI. (Actually I already knew about
spins from gliders.) I announced to my right seat instructor that we would
do three turns and recover within 10 degrees of the entry heading. (That's
the WWII Instructor Pilot standard.)

I picked a road intersection that would give a good ground reference and
spun the C-150 to the right starting on a north heading. (I already knew
this particular C-150 would continue 3/4 turn after anti-spin controls were
applied.) As we passed north on the first turn, I heard my instructor
mumbling to himself - he was counting what he thought were turns reaching
'three' as we pass north for the first time. As north came up again he
reached 'six' - his voice increasing in pitch. I applied anti-spin controls
on an east heading and the C-150 stopped auto-rotation on a north heading
precisely three turns after entry as my instructor spoke 'nine'. I had a
hard time convincing him we did only three turns.

Spins are a good example of perception vs reality problems. People read and
hear hangar talk about spins and develop "spin phobia". This fear degrades
their performance. Apparently, instructors are no exception.

I rode with one very senior ATP who had been taking aerobatic instruction in
a Citabria. We intended two turns in a L-23 but as we went around for the
third time, I had to point out that the Blanik requires forward stick to
achieve a recovery. This pilot expected the glider to recover with only
opposite rudder.

So, don't assume that a glider has bad spin behavior just because they've
been spun in by instructors.

Bill Daniels