wrote:
The thread "Any Spins Lately" made me wonder. If an instructor does
not teach spin recovery, is it worthwhile to find someone that teaches
spin recovery and take a few lessons before the first solo. If not,
then when would be a good time to do upset and spin recovery training.
Before my first cross country solo or after I get my certificate.

In my case my instructor is close by, but does not do spin recovery
training. I am quite happy with him and have no plans on switching.
However, there is an aerobatics instructor about 60 miles away that I
could use for spin training.

To completely understand what's involved in spin recovery it's best that
you understand stall. I always introduced a new student to spin recovery
during the stall phase just before solo. This was done as a simple one
turn entry from an accelerated stall at a time when the student had been
properly prepared before hand on what to expect.
What I would suggest you do if your CFI doesn't do spin recovery is to
go ahead and do your stall phase with your CFI, then when you feel you
have a good handle both theory wise and in the cockpit of your stall
work, make a trip up to the acro school and schedule an hour to do spin
recovery. It's an added step for you in your training but I believe it's
a necessary step.
Personally, I never soloed a student who hadn't had simple spin recovery.
You don't need to do prolonged spins unless you want to. Just a turn or
two and recovery is fine. The idea is to become familiar with spin
recovery, not to become completely proficient in all aspects of spins.
I would suggest however, that after gaining your certificate, you go
back to that school and take a few hours of serious aerobatics. Doing
this will make you a much better pilot, even if you never do acro again
after that.
Good luck. If I can be of any help to you, just holler! :-)
Dudley Henriques

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Dudley Henriques