Spin recovery procedure
Spin recovery = fixed control sequence, applied in order, held until spin stops (TP 1102).
- Power idle, ailerons neutral, together.
- Apply and hold full rudder opposite rotation.
- Just after rudder reaches the stop, control column positively forward far enough to break the stall (full down elevator may be needed).
- Hold inputs until rotation stops.
- As rotation stops: neutralize rudder, level wings, recover smoothly from resulting dive.
Sequence rules:
- Rudder leads, elevator follows: elevator forward just after rudder reaches the stop. Not together, not before.
- Hold inputs: premature relaxation of rudder or elevator can extend recovery. Hold until rotation stops, not just slows.
- Confirm stop with turn needle or turn coordinator, not ball: ball not constant, due to transient yaw (TP 1102 Ex. 13). Needle returning to and staying near centre = reliable.
- Ailerons stay out of it: avoid aileron, particularly cross-controlled; can increase rotation rate and delay recovery.
- Dive pull-up can start second spin: abrupt or premature pull-up can cause secondary stall; if yaw still present (anti-spin rudder not fully released), it can develop into second spin.
- Aim: upset balance between aerodynamic and inertia moments that hold spin going.
- Aircraft Flight Manual technique takes precedence when one exists; sequence above applies when none. Spin characteristics differ between aircraft (TP 1102).
Factors affecting spin behaviour and recovery (TP 1102): aircraft loading (weight distribution and CG), gross weight, altitude, power, flaps, rigging.
| Factor | Spin attitude / rate | Recovery | Other effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight distributed away from CG | Less steep attitude | More sluggish | Increases moment of inertia about two axes |
| Higher gross weight | - | May extend slightly | Increases inertia |
| High altitude | - | Lengthens | Thinner air, less control "bite" opposing spin |
| Flaps extended | Flatter attitude, lower spin rate | Prolong spin | Reduce rudder effectiveness (deflected airflow); risk damage from high speed or high loading in dive recovery |
| Power on | Less nose-down attitude | Lengthens on some aircraft | Propeller gyroscopic inputs reverse between left and right spins; more airspeed and height loss in dive recovery |
- If spin occurs with flaps extended, retract them.
Trap: moving elevator forward together with, or before, opposite rudder; or relaxing controls when rotation feels slower instead of holding until it actually stops.
References
- TP 1102 (Aeroplane Flight Training Manual), Ex. 13 Spinning: Recovery, Factors Affecting Recovery, Secondary Spin
- TP 1102 (Aeroplane Flight Training Manual), Ex. 24 Instrument Flying: Spin Recovery