Going for a Spin

Roller Coaster Without Rails

One of the keys to flying is preventing a bad situation from becoming worse. In General Aviation, we are taught to avoid spins at all costs. (In military aviation, spins are de rigueur). Hence, the routine training as relates to stalls and recovery. If the stall is not arrested it will progress into a spin. If too close to the earth, you will tie the low altitude record and the ground is somewhat unforgiving.

Of course, you can do this on purpose which is instructive as well as fun. Here’s what it looks like in the Decathlon, the plane I fly for this purpose. It's a Ten Turn Spin.The video isn’t me but it’s the same manuever and same plane. It's much faster in the third turn with cockpit and aerial views. Airsick bag is optional.