FTW-4D
Spin Awareness
READING ASSIGNMENT
AFH Pages 4-13 to 4-17 – “Spins”
ACS VII Task D – Spin Awareness
Study Questions
AFH Pages 4-13 to 4-17 – “Spins”
? 1. Why does flight training include a thorough discussion of spins and spin recovery?
a) To familiarize student pilots with flight situations where unintentional spins may occur.
b) To give students an understanding of the aerodynamic factors related to spins.
c) To ingrain students with the steps for recovering from unintentional spins.
d) All of the above.
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2. A spin can result from the aircraft being in
a) an aggravated stall.
b) nose-low pitch attitude.
c) descending turn.
3. As an aircraft spirals downward in a spin, the outboard wing (rising wing) is
a) more stalled than the inboard wing.
b) less stalled than the inboard wing.
c) not stalled.
4. A spin occurs when the airplane’s wings are stalled and
a) the airplane is turning
b) a yawing moment is acting on the airplane.
c) the airspeed exceeds the design maneuvering speed.
5. To maintain directional control before stall recovery is initiated the pilot must apply the correct amount of
rudder to
a) keep the nose from yawing and the wings from banking.
b) initiate a spin in the opposite direction.
c) maintain level flight.
6. Continued practice of stalls will help the pilot to
a) develop a more instinctive and prompt reaction in recognizing an approaching spin.
b) be able to maintain altitude with elevator control throughout the stall.
c) visualize the nose attitude relative to the horizon at which a stall happens.
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Spin Awareness
7. Determine the phase of a spin as described in each of the following:
_______________________ The pilot intentionally or accidentally provides the necessary elements for
the spin (full stall and yawing moment).
_______________________ The time the airplane stalls and starts rotating until the spin has fully
developed. Usually two to four turns for most airplanes.
_______________________ The angular rotation rate, airspeed, and vertical speed are stabilized and
the flightpath is nearly vertical.
_______________________ The rotation ceases and the AOA of the wings is decreased below the
critical AOA.
8. In a developed spin, if the aircraft is moving, why are the wings still stalled?
a) The wings are the most stubborn part of the aircraft and don’t respond well to the movement of air.
b) The nearly vertical descent path results in an upward relative wind which increases the angle of attack
of the wings beyond the critical angle.
c) In a developed spin, there is little or no movement of air around the wings to be used for the
generation of lift.
9. What is the indication on the airspeed indicator when the aircraft is in a spin?
a) The airspeed will steadily increase as the airplane descends at a very high rate.
b) The airspeed will oscillate between VNO and VFE, depending on whether the flaps are extended.
c) The airspeed will read at or below stall speed.
10. How can you determine if intentional spins are authorized in your aircraft?
a) The best way is to telephone the aircraft manufacturer and ask.
b) Limitations would appear in the aircraft’s approved AFM/POH.
c) A warning horn will sound if the aircraft enters a spin.
11. Airplanes placarded against intentional spins are still legally required to be able to recover from a
prolonged, fully developed spin in order to obtain a normal category rating.
a) True.
b) False.
12. Since recovery from a spin includes recovery from a stalled condition, which aircraft loading condition
would make spin recovery difficult or even impossible?
a) Center of gravity (CG) located significantly forward.
b) An aft CG.
c) CG location does not affect aircraft spin characteristics.
13. Two common errors in recovering from spins are excessive back-elevator pressure and insufficient back-
elevator pressure. What is the right amount of back-elevator pressure needed?
a) Enough to cause the stall warning horn to begin to sound momentarily.
b) Enough to immediately stop the dive and hold altitude.
c) Enough to avoid excessive airspeed, but not so much as to cause a secondary stall.
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Spin Awareness
14. To accomplish spin recovery always
a) use a procedure such as PARENT which can be used for any airplane.
b) follow the manufacturer’s recommend procedures.
c) let go of the controls since airplanes are designed to self-recover from a spin.
Spin Recovery Using the PARENT Method
P • Aid in lowering the angle of attack
Things Worse
Power out
Don’t Make
• Reduce left-turning tendencies
A Ailerons neutral
• Reduce differential angle of attack between wings,
which can worsen the spin
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R Rudder opposite
Break the Spin
• Stop the yawing motion of the airplane
the spin
E Elevator down • Nose down to break the stall and begin flying again
N Neutralize Remove any rudder used to stop the spin
Recover Smoothly
•
rudder • Return to straight flight
• Return smoothly to level flight, without overstressing
the aircraft
T Take yourself
out of the dive
• Do NOT suddenly increase angle of attack or a
secondary stall could result
• Add power again when level or climbing
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Spin Awareness
15. What is the first step in spin recovery using the PARENT method?
a) Nose down, full power.
b) Full aft elevator.
c) Power out.
16. In a banked turn, if the pilot attempts to use aileron to roll out of the turn, how does the inside wing’s
aileron move?
a) It raises, increasing the angle of attack of that wing.
b) It lowers, increasing the angle of attack of that wing.
c) It lowers, decreasing the angle of attack of that wing.
17. Because of the aerodynamics of a spin in which one wing is more stalled than the other, use of ailerons to
try to roll out of the spin could
a) cause the inside wing to become even more stalled than it is.
b) cause the engine to fail.
c) result in structural damage to the wing.
18. Unless otherwise recommended by the manufacturer, the correct use of ailerons during spin recovery is to
a) bank in the direction opposite the spin.
b) neutralize the ailerons until the spin and stall are broken and the airplane has returned to normal flight.
c) feather the ailerons in an attempt to slow the rotation.
19. What flight control does the pilot use to yaw the aircraft (or counteract a yawing motion)?
a) Yoke.
b) Throttle.
c) Rudder pedals.
20. Unless otherwise recommended by the manufacturer, why is positive, brisk, and straight forward elevator
applied after full rudder application?
a) To decreases the AOA and drives the airplane toward unstalled flight.
b) To increase the wing loading and prevent additional yawing.
c) To improve forward visibility.
21. To stop the yawing motion and recover from a spin, the pilot uses full rudder opposite to the direction of
the spin. What is important to remember after spin rotation stops?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
22. Once the spin has stopped and the stall is broken, the aircraft is likely still descending. How should the pilot
return the airplane to level flight?
a) Suddenly and sharply.
b) As slowly as possible.
c) Apply back elevator pressure avoiding excessive pressure that could cause a secondary stall
or exceed load limits.
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Spin Awareness
23. For safe recovery from a spin maneuver, the weight and balance of the airplane are
a) not a factor as long as the airplane is below maximum weight
b) is critical as even minor weight or balance changes can affect the airplane’s spin recovery
characteristics
c) required to meet the normal category loading specifications
ACS VII Task D – Spin Awareness
24. How many intentional spins must be demonstrated by a private pilot candidate taking a FAA Practical Test?
a) 3.
b) 1.
c) 0.
25. What must be demonstrated to the examiner? (Check all that apply.)
☐ Knowledge of aerodynamics associated with spins.
☐ Knowledge of what causes a spin and how to identify the entry, incipient, and developed phases of a spin.
☐ Ability to recover from an intentional spin within the first complete turn.
☐ Knowledge of spin recovery procedures.
☐ Ability to enter a spin from a cross-controlled stall on short final approach.
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Spin Awareness
Answers to Study Questions
1. d 18. b
2. a 19. c
3. b 20. a
4. b 21. Neutralize the rudder after spin rotation stops to
5. a prevent yawing or sideslipping
6. a 22. c
7. entry phase 23. b
incipient phase 24. c
developed phase
recovery phase
25. ☐
X Knowledge of aerodynamics associated
with spins.
8. b ☐
X Knowledge of what causes a spin and
9. c how to identify the entry, incipient, and
developed phases of a spin.
10. b
☐ Ability to recover from an intentional spin
11. b (false) within the first complete turn.
12. b ☐
X Knowledge of spin recovery procedures.
13. c ☐ Ability to enter a spin from a cross-
controlled stall on short final approach.
14. b
15. c
16. b
17. a
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