Spiral dive recognition, recovery and height

A spiral dive is a steep descending turn, not a stall (TP 1102).

• Wing still flying.
• Airspeed, rate of descent, wing loading all increase rapidly.
• Often follows a poorly executed steep turn, or a spin entry attempted before the wing was fully stalled.

Spin vs spiral (TP 1102):

• Rotation looks similar; airspeed, not turn needle, tells which.

Common causes (TP 1102):

• Forcing rudder to start a spin before the wing stalls.
• Relaxing back pressure once a spin starts (interrupts it before it develops).
• Mismanaging controls in a power-on manoeuvre, e.g. steep turn.

Dangers (TP 1102):

• Airspeed builds unchecked: airframe can be overstressed.
• Elevator used to check descent instead of correct recovery: can cause a high-speed stall.

Practice and height (TP 1102):

• Not practised solo. Instructor demonstrates for recognition and recovery.
• Considerable height lost. Complete recovery at the manufacturer's recommended height or no less than 2,000 ft above ground, whichever is greater.

Recovery, in this order (TP 1102):

1. Close the throttle.
2. Roll the wings level. Do not roll and pull up at the same time.
3. Ease out of the dive.
4. Apply power only once airspeed is back in the normal range.

Trap: pulling back before wings are level tightens and aggravates the spiral, loading the airframe further and risking a high-speed stall, a blackout, or structural damage.

Practice