CHAPTER 3. FLIGHT TRAINING - SPINS
13. SPIN TRAINING. Spin training is required for flight instructor-airplane and flight instructor-glider applicants only.
Upon completion of the training, the applicant's logbook or training record should be endorsed by the flight instructor who provided the training. A sample endorsement of spin training for flight instructor applicants is available in AC 61-65, Certification: Pilots and Flight Instructors, current edition.
a. Spin training must be accomplished in an aircraft that is approved for spins. Before practicing intentional spins, the AFM or POH should be consulted for the proper entry and recovery techniques.
b. The training should begin by practicing both power-on and power-off stalls to familiarize the applicant with the aircraft's stall characteristics. Spin avoidance, incipient spins, and actual spin entry, spin, and spin recovery techniques should be practiced from an altitude above 3,500 feet AGL.
c. Spin avoidance training should consist of stalls and maneuvering during slow flight using realistic distractions such as those listed in Chapter 2. Performance is considered unsatisfactory if it becomes necessary for the instructor to take control of the aircraft to avoid a fully developed spin.
d. Incipient spins should be practiced to train the instructor applicant to recover from a student's poorly performed stall or unusual attitude that could lead to a spin.
(1) Configure the aircraft for a power-on or power-off stall, and continue to apply back elevator pressure. As the stall occurs, apply right or left rudder and allow the nose to yaw toward the stalled wing. Release the spin inducing controls and recover as the spin begins by applying opposite rudder and forward elevator pressure. The instructor should discuss control application in the recovery.
e. Spin entry, spin, and spin recovery should be demonstrated by the instructor and repeated, in both directions, by the applicant.
(1) Apply the entry procedure for a power-off stall. As the airplane approaches a stall, smoothly apply full rudder in the direction of desired spin rotation and continue to apply back elevator to the limit of travel. The ailerons should be neutral.
(2) Allow the spin to develop, and be fully recovered no later than one full turn. Observe the airspeed indicator during the spin and subsequent recovery to ensure that it does not reach the red line (V sub NE).
(3) Follow the recovery procedures recommended by the manufacturer in the AFM or POH. In most aircraft, spin recovery techniques consist of retarding power (if in a powered aircraft),
applying opposite rudder to slow the rotation, neutralizing the ailerons, applying positive forward-elevator movement to break the stall, neutralizing the rudder as the spinning stops, and returning to level flight.
CHAPTER 4. AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS
14. OPERATING LIMITATIONS. Operating limitations are imposed for the safety of pilots and their passengers. Operations contrary to these restrictions are a serious compromise of safety. It is, therefore, most important that all pilots, flight and ground instructors, and pilot examiners apply the following information on spinning to pilot training and flight operations.
a. Normal Category. Single-engine normal category airplanes are placarded against intentional spins. However, to provide a margin of safety when recovery from a stall is delayed, these airplanes are tested during certification and must be able to recover from a one-turn spin or a 3-second spin, whichever takes longer, in not more than one additional turn with the controls used in the manner normally used for recovery. In addition:
(1) For both the flaps-retracted and flaps-extended conditions, the applicable airspeed limit and positive limit maneuvering load factor may not be exceeded. For the flapsextended condition, the flaps may be retracted during recovery;
(2) There may be no excessive back pressure during the spin recovery; and
(3) It must be impossible to obtain uncontrollable spins with any use of the controls.
______________________ Note: Since airplanes certificated in the normal category have not been tested for more than a one-turn or 3-second spin, their performance characteristics beyond these limits are unknown.
This is the reason they are placarded against intentional spins.
______________________
b. Acrobatic Category. An acrobatic category airplane must meet the following requirements.
(1) The airplane must recover from any point in a spin, in not more than one and one-half additional turns after normal recovery application of the controls. Prior to normal recovery application of the controls, the spin test must proceed for six turns or 3 seconds, whichever takes longer, with flaps retracted, and one turn or 3 seconds, whichever takes longer, with flaps extended. However, beyond 3 seconds, the spin may be discontinued when spiral characteristics appear with flaps retracted.
(2) For both the flaps-retracted and flaps-extended conditions, the applicable airspeed limit and the positive limit
maneuvering load factor may not be exceeded. For the flapsextended condition, the flaps may be retracted during recovery, if a placard is installed prohibiting intentional spins with flaps extended.
(3) It must be impossible to obtain uncontrollable spins with any use of the controls.
______________________ Note: Since airplanes certificated in the acrobatic category have not been tested for more than six turns or 3 seconds, their performance characteristics beyond these limits are unknown.
______________________
c. Utility Category. A utility category airplane must meet the requirements for either the normal or acrobatic category.
15. PLACARDS. Under FAR Section 23.1567, all airplanes type certificated under FAR Part 23 must have a flight maneuver placard containing the following information:
a. For normal category airplanes, there must be a placard in front of and in clear view of the pilot stating: "No acrobatic maneuvers, including spins, approved."
b. Additionally, for those utility category airplanes, with a certification basis after March 1978 and that do not meet the spin requirements for acrobatic category airplanes, there must be an additional placard in clear view of the pilot stating: "Spins Prohibited."
c. For acrobatic category airplanes, there must be a placard in clear view of the pilot listing the approved acrobatic maneuvers and the recommended entry airspeed for each. If inverted flight maneuvers are not approved, the placard must include a notation to this effect.
16. PILOT AWARENESS. The pilot of an airplane placarded against intentional spins should assume that the airplane may become uncontrollable in a spin. In addition, stall warning devices should not be deactivated for pilot certification flight tests in airplanes for which they are required equipment.