Making Synapses · Bringing Knowledge to Mankind
AviationSpin awareness
The examiner checks that you understand how spins happen and how to recover from an unintentional one: the aerodynamics, the causes, the phases and the recovery procedure. It is Task D of Area VII, Slow Flight and Stalls, in the FAA Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards, the checkride every private pilot flies.
Free to startThe steps
- Explain the aerodynamics of spins in each configuration: angle of attack, airspeed, load factor, power, weight, center of gravity, attitude and yaw.
- Explain what causes a spin and how to recognize its entry, incipient and developed phases.
- Explain the spin recovery procedure.
- Explain the situations that can lead to an inadvertent spin and loss of control, and how to manage them.
Safety rules that stop the station
- The sheet has no flight skills for this task: the examiner checks your knowledge and risk management with questions.
- Failing to exercise risk management is unsatisfactory.
- If you do not use sound aeronautical decision-making, including single-pilot resource management, the examiner marks the task as failed.
To pass
- The causes, phases and recovery of a spin explained correctly, with the risks that lead to one.
- Know the limits of stall warning indicators, the effect of turbulence, microbursts and high density altitude on spins, collision hazards and distractions.
- Missing the standard on this task fails the task and its area of operation.
Official source
Federal · FAA Private Pilot ACS
Private Pilot for Airplane Category Airman Certification Standards (FAA-S-ACS-6C)
The FAA publishes the Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards free: every task of the checkride with its knowledge, risks and tolerances.
Making Synapses is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by the Federal Aviation Administration or any aircraft manufacturer. Aircraft and document names are named only to describe the content.