Spin Avoidance

Purpose

To recognize the transition from a stall to an incipient spin and to practice recovery before the spin becomes fully developed.

Airmanship

HASELL Checks

Before any spin-related exercise, complete the full HASELL check. Height is critical for this exercise — you must have sufficient altitude to complete the recovery and return to straight-and-level flight with adequate margin above the ground.

Letter	Check	Action
H	Height	Sufficient to recover by at least 3,000 feet AGL (minimum). Your instructor will specify the required altitude.
A	Airframe	Flaps up, landing gear up (if retractable), aircraft in clean configuration.
S	Security	Harnesses tight, loose articles secured, hatches and doors locked.
E	Engine	Temperatures and pressures in the green, fuel sufficient, mixture set, carburetor heat check.
L	Location	Away from built-up areas, airports, and controlled airspace. Over a suitable forced-landing area.
L	Lookout	Complete a thorough clearing turn (180 degrees or more) to check for other traffic above, below, and at your altitude.

Spin Entry

The spin is entered from a full stall with deliberate yaw:

1. Establish straight-and-level flight at a safe altitude.
2. Reduce power to idle and raise the nose to maintain altitude as speed decreases.
3. As the aircraft approaches the stall (buffet onset, decreasing control effectiveness), apply full rudder in the desired spin direction.
4. Continue holding the control column fully back to ensure the wing remains stalled.
5. The aircraft will yaw and roll in the direction of the applied rudder, entering the incipient spin.

Spin Recovery

Once the incipient spin is recognized, apply the standard recovery procedure immediately:

1. Identify the direction of spin — look at the direction of rotation. The turn coordinator or the visual rotation will confirm the spin direction.
2. Full opposite rudder — apply full rudder opposite to the direction of rotation to stop the yaw.
3. Forward elevator — move the control column positively forward to break the stall (reduce the angle of attack below the critical angle).
4. Centralize controls — when rotation stops, centralize the rudder and level the wings with coordinated aileron and rudder.
5. Recover from the dive — smoothly apply back pressure to raise the nose to the horizon. Apply power as the nose reaches the horizon.

Common Errors

• Applying aileron to stop the roll instead of rudder — this deepens the stall on the lower wing
• Failing to move the elevator sufficiently forward — the stall is not broken and autorotation continues
• Pulling back on the elevator too early during recovery — causing a secondary stall
• Exceeding V_A during the dive recovery — risking structural overload
• Failing to apply power smoothly during the pull-out from the dive