I have developed an enhanced Spin Endorsement Course in order to provide CFI candidates (or CFIs who want to be competent stall/spin awareness instructors) spin training that trains well beyond the national average for a spin endorsement in minimal training time. Unfortunately, the national average is incredibly poor and severely lacking. The regulations say an endorsement means the receiver has demonstrated “satisfactory demonstration of instructional proficiency in stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery procedures…”. How can one do that if they had little to no ground, and did one flight with a couple of spins each direction. The answer is simple, you can’t! As a CFI, you should want the knowledge and capability so you can keep yourself and your students safe. Please, seek competent instruction and learn these subjects well. Far too many people die in stall/spin mishaps every year. It does not have to be this way.
This course has been used for several years with excellent results.
On average this course takes 4 hours of ground and 2.5 – 3 hours of flight time to complete. The Pilot in Training (PT) will first complete some homework reading and complete a short quiz. Then they attend my 2-hour spin lecture before the first flight.
Spin Flight 1 – Covers stick and rudder skills, advanced stalls, and other maneuvers that explore the edges of the flight envelope, plus an introduction to spins, with several repetitions to build recovery skills.
Spin Flight 2 – Practice stick and rudder skills, spins, aggravated spins, demonstrate spins to the simulated PT, practice fixing and critiquing errors made by the simulated PT who has never spun before.
Spin Flight 3 – As required to complete training.
Course Training Goals
- Improve knowledge of certain “key” aerodynamics.
- Understand spin dynamics at a significantly higher level than the average pilot.
- Knowledge of common spin mishap scenarios and how to avoid them.
- Learn proper and efficient spin recovery techniques for your spin training aircraft.
- Acquire knowledge of some spin statistics.
- Attain a much more thorough understanding of maneuvering speed (Va) and why it is important to know.
- Learn “proper” unusual attitude recovery techniques to ensure the most efficient and safest recoveries possible.
- Gain comfort, confidence and ability flying closer to the edges of the flight envelope while performing advanced maneuvers.
- Learn how to teach stall/spin awareness and spins.
- Learn effective and efficient spin entry and recovery techniques.
- Practice teaching spins as well as experience and counteract spin training mistakes.
- Understand and apply safety measures to spin training.
- Earn the spin endorsement.
Mike Kloch Aviation Consulting 