qbynewbie
Pre-takeoff checklist
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- Sep 22, 2007
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Qbynewbie
Since getting back to flight lessons last Summer, I've been interested in learning more about spins -- not so much in terms of wanting to do them as in wanting to know how to recover from them.
I found and memorized PARE early on. It made sense, from a logical point of view, which made it easier to remember. At various times while doing other things (like driving down the highway
), I would run through the procedure. I want it to be as automatic as possible prior to getting spin training. (I fully intend to get training in spin recovery and other similar topics from a qualified CFI after I complete the PPL.)
The one thing that I've always been unsure of though, was how to tell for sure which way the plane was spinning. I've read descriptions of spins and hints about the opposite rudder being the one that is stiffer or heavier, but it all sounded sort of vague. There was nothing there that I could really hang on to.
But I just received a copy of Rich's Emergency Maneuver Training book. Of course, I turned immediately to spins to see if the answer to my question was there.
Yes! He provides three ways of identifying the opposite rudder, which he makes clear is really opposite to the direction of YAW.
First, he tells me that the one thing I had always thought I might be able to depend on -- the slip-skid ball on the Turn Coordinator -- was undependable and should be ignored. Okay, one down.
Next, though, he throws me not one but three life preservers:
1. On the Turn Coordinator, the symbolic airplane leans in the direction of yaw in both upright and inverted spins. "Yes!" I say to myself. Step on the rudder opposite the direction in which the airplane leans (or the needle deflects in a turn and bank indicator). Cool!
2. Change your field of vision and sight straight down the nose. (I just doubt I'm going to be calm enough to do this but ok I'll play along...) Looking beyond, the ground will "flow" past the nose like a river, in the direction opposite the direction of yaw. So "go with the flow" as he puts it and step on the rudder in the same direction. If it's a left spin, the ground will be "flowing" to the right and we step on the right rudder. Hmmm...
3. Relax your feet, get both feet off the rudders where they have been unconsciously locked since the plane started spinning (!), feel for the heavier one and step on it.
OK, I've got it. I prefer the steps in the order listed. #1 is my first line of defense, #2 is next and then #3.
I hope I never enter an unplanned spin but, thanks to Rich and his book, I now have one more tool in my bag of tricks in case I find myself facing that situation.
I'm looking forward to reading the rest of what seems like a terrific book!
Here's a link to his site and the shop where you can buy the book.
(Cross-posted at The Purple Board)
I found and memorized PARE early on. It made sense, from a logical point of view, which made it easier to remember. At various times while doing other things (like driving down the highway
), I would run through the procedure. I want it to be as automatic as possible prior to getting spin training. (I fully intend to get training in spin recovery and other similar topics from a qualified CFI after I complete the PPL.)The one thing that I've always been unsure of though, was how to tell for sure which way the plane was spinning. I've read descriptions of spins and hints about the opposite rudder being the one that is stiffer or heavier, but it all sounded sort of vague. There was nothing there that I could really hang on to.
But I just received a copy of Rich's Emergency Maneuver Training book. Of course, I turned immediately to spins to see if the answer to my question was there.
Yes! He provides three ways of identifying the opposite rudder, which he makes clear is really opposite to the direction of YAW.
First, he tells me that the one thing I had always thought I might be able to depend on -- the slip-skid ball on the Turn Coordinator -- was undependable and should be ignored. Okay, one down.
Next, though, he throws me not one but three life preservers:
1. On the Turn Coordinator, the symbolic airplane leans in the direction of yaw in both upright and inverted spins. "Yes!" I say to myself. Step on the rudder opposite the direction in which the airplane leans (or the needle deflects in a turn and bank indicator). Cool!
2. Change your field of vision and sight straight down the nose. (I just doubt I'm going to be calm enough to do this but ok I'll play along...) Looking beyond, the ground will "flow" past the nose like a river, in the direction opposite the direction of yaw. So "go with the flow" as he puts it and step on the rudder in the same direction. If it's a left spin, the ground will be "flowing" to the right and we step on the right rudder. Hmmm...
3. Relax your feet, get both feet off the rudders where they have been unconsciously locked since the plane started spinning (!), feel for the heavier one and step on it.
OK, I've got it. I prefer the steps in the order listed. #1 is my first line of defense, #2 is next and then #3.
I hope I never enter an unplanned spin but, thanks to Rich and his book, I now have one more tool in my bag of tricks in case I find myself facing that situation.
I'm looking forward to reading the rest of what seems like a terrific book!
Here's a link to his site and the shop where you can buy the book.
(Cross-posted at The Purple Board)
