Puchaz spin count 23 and counting

Todd Pattist wrote:
"W.J. \(Bill\) Dean \(U.K.\)."
wrote:


A very experienced instructor flying a docile two seater in
ideal conditions may be prepared to initiate a brief spin from 800'.


Wow! Even with the "docile" "ideal conditions" and "very
experienced" qualifiers, I find this 800' comment in an
officially sanctioned instructor's guide to be highly
surprising. There's not much room here for anything
unexpected from the student or the aircraft.

Todd Pattist - "WH" Ventus C
(Remove DONTSPAMME from address to email reply.)
Having been exposed to sub 800' spins by a BGA qualified instructor - in a place
where only spin avoidance is required to be taught I can say that the experience
had great value for me.
Now I know that you can recover, without too much drama from a spin at that
height, and how to do it. Until you have done it you have no idea - the actual
spin is not different, but the scenery/experience is.

Multiple ordinary ,and accelerated and even one inverted spin in a Pitts S2 was
interesting and fun, at 3000-4000AGL. The "boring, docile" K13 was heart
stopping at 800'.

If I ever do it inadvertently, at least I have processed the mental stuff
relating to spinning this low at least twice. Got a better chance of not choking
up and making a mess of the recovery. That would be regrettable, because, as has
been noted correctly there is very little margin for error.
Was quite satisfied with the safety aspect with an instructor who has been
teaching this for 40+ years sitting in the back of an immaculate K13, in still
air. Would have my doubts about doing it with most others though...