safest airplane to train spins on?

This forum has been developed to discuss flight instruction/University and College programs.

Moderators: sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, Right Seat Captain, lilfssister, North Shore

Hedley
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 10430
Joined: Thu May 27, 2004 6:40 am
Location: CYSH
Contact:

Post by Hedley »

its crazy to do spin training without parachutes and an aerobatic instructor on board
Considering that no one here has a clue as to even what an accelerated spin is - YES.
---------- ADS -----------
 
User avatar
bob sacamano
Rank (9)
Rank (9)
Posts: 1680
Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2005 6:26 am
Location: I'm not in Kansas anymore

Post by bob sacamano »

Hedley wrote:
its crazy to do spin training without parachutes and an aerobatic instructor on board
Considering that no one here has a clue as to even what an accelerated spin is - YES.
Image
---------- ADS -----------
 
:smt109
. ._
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 7374
Joined: Fri Feb 20, 2004 5:50 pm
Location: Cowering in my little room because the Water Cooler is locked.
Contact:

Post by . ._ »

Hedley wrote:
its crazy to do spin training without parachutes and an aerobatic instructor on board
Considering that no one here has a clue as to even what an accelerated spin is - YES.
OK then. What is an accelerated spin? Lots here would like to know, I'm sure. I thought it's when you spin the thing, then put in aileron in the spinning direction.

I have only heard about accelerated spins from one source, and the source could be wrong.

Thanks Hedley.

(Spin a Cessna. I'm on topic.)

-istp :wink:
---------- ADS -----------
 
beechy
Rank 4
Rank 4
Posts: 253
Joined: Sun Mar 12, 2006 7:50 pm
Location: Ottawa

Post by beechy »

:smt025 Could it possibly be a spin in which your rate of spinage is increased? Usually by means of, idon't know, control inputs.........
---------- ADS -----------
 
mellow_pilot
Rank 10
Rank 10
Posts: 2119
Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2005 1:04 am
Location: Pilot Purgatory

Post by mellow_pilot »

Hed, lots of people have done accelerated spins...

Everyone who's flown a zlin with a pretty blue trillium on the side.
---------- ADS -----------
 
Dyslexics of the world... UNTIE!
Hedley
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 10430
Joined: Thu May 27, 2004 6:40 am
Location: CYSH
Contact:

Post by Hedley »

Failing to utilitize safety equipment which is available to you, when you are dealing with a complex and dangerous situation that you do not fully comprehend, can be described at best as foolhardy, and at worst as suicidal.

Every year, people continue to die as a result of unrecovered spins. No less than Sean "pull the D ring" Tucker has parachuted out of an aircraft that was in a spin that he could not recover from. I suppose all you "hot sticks" here think you know more about spins than Sean Tucker :roll:

Go ahead, pass on the parachutes, and kill yourselves, you foolish, ignorant, impudent children. The world is vastly overpopulated anyways. I do feel a bit sorry for the airframes, but oh well.
---------- ADS -----------
 
mellow_pilot
Rank 10
Rank 10
Posts: 2119
Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2005 1:04 am
Location: Pilot Purgatory

Post by mellow_pilot »

Hedley, are you seriously saying that you need a parachute to spin a 172?
I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not...

I want to preface this by saying that I'm not trying to be an ass here, I'm asking why spins in a light trainer are so dangerous? You keep making vague references and then calling everyone names. I just want to know your reasoning.

If you're serious, should we always fly with parachutes? A stall with a control failure could be just as deadly. I don't see how spins are particularly violent, or anymore likely to reuslt in catastrophic component failure than any other airwork, such as steep turns or spirals.

As I understand it, most stall-spin fatalities happen from an altitude where the spin is unrecoverable. This usually happens on approach/departure, not during spin training or upper airwork iirc. I don't see how wearing a parachute will help you if you start spinning in from 1000 ft.

Sean Tucker flies aerobat no? Is his aircraft not stressed more often and to a greater extreme? I realise that it's built a little tougher, but still, it sees far more abuse. Is it not more likely that cumulative fatigue damage would result in such an airplane?

The chances of accelerating a 172 to an unrecoverable condition seem remote to me. Am I not thinking of this in the right way? If you start a spin at say, 4000 feet, then accelerate it, then can't recover, try again, then realise that something is completely f-ed up, then decide to exit the airplane... are you going to have time to get out and open a chute? Especially considering that most light trainers (I'm thinking of a piper-style door here) aren't that easy to get in and out of in a hurry.

Would a BRS not be more appropriate?

Sault College had an airplane spin into the ground many many moons ago. The guy was obviously lucky, but he suffered only a broken ankle (so the story goes). Granted the Zlin is built like a T-72, and granted there were a lot of factors in the fellas favour, but he still "walked away" from a spin from 5000 or so (as the story goes) into the ground.

Again, I'm not trying to be an ass, I really do want to know why you think this is so dangerous for Canada's light training fleet.
---------- ADS -----------
 
Dyslexics of the world... UNTIE!
Hedley
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 10430
Joined: Thu May 27, 2004 6:40 am
Location: CYSH
Contact:

Post by Hedley »

If you think nothing can go wrong in a spin in a Cessna (your example), click on:

http://www.tsb.gc.ca/en/reports/air/199 ... 8q0114.asp

I'll bet that now-deceased flight instructor, if he had to do it over again, would wear a parachute during spin training.

Some more reading:

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_i ... 0378&key=1

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_i ... 1761&key=1

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_i ... 1994&key=1

The list goes on, and on. Feel free to add your name to it.
---------- ADS -----------
 
helinas
Rank 5
Rank 5
Posts: 367
Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2004 11:32 am

Post by helinas »

I know you can spin both the cherokee 140 and the 152/172 but if you had your choice which one of the two is safer of the two for a student to spin without getting into alot of trouble.

I have heard worse stories about the cherokee than the 172 as the 172 comes out of it by itself and the cherokee you have to work for it.

Ideas?
---------- ADS -----------
 
Hedley
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 10430
Joined: Thu May 27, 2004 6:40 am
Location: CYSH
Contact:

Post by Hedley »

As discussed previously, the 172 hates to spin, the 150/152 spins quite enthusiastically, and recovers most of the time.

The Cherokee 140 is not spun as often, for a number of reasons, but if I am sure that if you read what Piper says on the subject, and follow their instructions, it should work just fine for you. It's an airplane.
---------- ADS -----------
 
Wasn't Me
Rank 6
Rank 6
Posts: 456
Joined: Thu Apr 08, 2004 5:08 pm

Post by Wasn't Me »

I have spun the C152, 172 ans PA28 I prefer to spin the C152 the other aircraft make you work for it.
---------- ADS -----------
 
I wish I could spell
Spokes
Rank (9)
Rank (9)
Posts: 1057
Joined: Mon Apr 17, 2006 9:22 pm
Location: Toronto, On

Post by Spokes »

Hedley wrote:If you think nothing can go wrong in a spin in a Cessna (your example), click on:

http://www.tsb.gc.ca/en/reports/air/199 ... 8q0114.asp

I'll bet that now-deceased flight instructor, if he had to do it over again, would wear a parachute during spin training.

Some more reading:

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_i ... 0378&key=1

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_i ... 1761&key=1

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_i ... 1994&key=1

The list goes on, and on. Feel free to add your name to it.
All very interesting reading. Thank you.

A couple of thoughts without trying to restart old arguments. In the 152 accident, why would you not set 4000 as your recovery altitude if the POH says you should. CARs also say this. I realise it would not help this poor guy, but since the 152 is so eager to spin it would seem prudent to me to do this maneouver higher up.

re: parachite requirements given in the second incident. (60degrees bank, 30 pitch) This looks like an American report to me. Is there a similar CAR on this? If this is so, it really is at odds with what most (all?) flight schools handle spins. CPL students are required to perform them. I know we have no parachutes here.

re: the instructor all to eager to have his students spin. I have seen this in a couple of guys and it always alarms me. Some Instructors I have known eagerly put there students into a full spin far too early in training simply "because they are fun". I fear that they are not treating this maneouver with the respect it deserves.

Again, thanks.
---------- ADS -----------
 
Wahunga!
mcrit
Rank (9)
Rank (9)
Posts: 1973
Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 9:01 pm

Post by mcrit »

If you want to wear a paracute while doing pre-solo spin training in a certified training a\c go ahead and fill your boots. There's really no need for it given that part of the certification process for light training a\c is a demonstration that they will recover from a spin hands off (ie, you let go of the controls and scream "oh god we're gonna die!" and the a\c unspins itself <-try it in a 172 sometime).
Lets be real here, even if the a\c did go unrecoverable, how many people do you think would be able to unbuckle themselves, open the door (non ejectable doors here) and then get themselves out?
---------- ADS -----------
 
Lommer
Rank 7
Rank 7
Posts: 686
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2005 5:44 pm

Post by Lommer »

Very interesting to see that Cessna recomments recovering all spins by 4000' AGL; as a student it was standard procedure for us to initiate spins in the 152 at 3500' AGL, though we always recovered by the 2000' set by Cessna.
---------- ADS -----------
 
Hedley
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 10430
Joined: Thu May 27, 2004 6:40 am
Location: CYSH
Contact:

Post by Hedley »

how many people do you think would be able to .. get out?
Lots of people have done it. I can't believe people are arguing that they don't want to have an "out" when they are dealing with something that they know little or nothing about, and that can kill them. Darwin, anyone?

For some reason I am reminded of the obstinate British generals who refused to equip their pilots in WWI with parachutes, because they wanted to encourage their pilots to stay with a (eg burning) aircraft.

Hey, I have a great idea, mcrit. Put your money where your mouth is. Why don't you phone up the family of the dead instructor and tell them that you don't think that parachutes during spin training are a good idea?

Get back to us on that, ok? :roll:
---------- ADS -----------
 
. ._
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 7374
Joined: Fri Feb 20, 2004 5:50 pm
Location: Cowering in my little room because the Water Cooler is locked.
Contact:

Post by . ._ »

How much do parachutes cost?

Even though it's a minor hijack, it's still a good point.

Sure, it's nice to have all the outs possible. I suppose the reason why most people don't use parachutes during spin training is a "risk to $$$" ratio.

The chances of an unrecoverable spin are very minute with proper training, weight and balance, preflight inspection, etc. , so the cost of a parachute is viewed as not worth it.

But c'mon Hedley, are you telling me you wouldn't spin a 172 without a parachute strapped on? You've worn a parachute every time you've done a spin?

If so, then you're one safe pilot, and that's great!

If not, then I'll bet you made the decision to not wear a parachute, because you thought the risk was low- too low to warrant spending a bunch of dough on a parachute.

In any case, fly safe folks!

-istp :D
---------- ADS -----------
 
niss
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 6745
Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2005 8:54 pm
Location: I'm a CPL trapped in a PPL's Body.
Contact:

Post by niss »

Also there is the topic of parachute training is there not? Do you not have to be certified to operate a parachute?
---------- ADS -----------
 
She’s built like a Steakhouse, but she handles like a Bistro.

Let's kick the tires, and light the fires.... SHIT! FIRE! EMERGENCY CHECKLIST!
Hedley
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 10430
Joined: Thu May 27, 2004 6:40 am
Location: CYSH
Contact:

Post by Hedley »

I think we're coming full circle in this discussion.

When someone I know wants to do some upright or inverted spins (or other aerobatic maneuver), I say, "Great, let's strap on the chutes" and off we go in a purpose-built, certified aerobatic aircraft.

There happen to be seven 2-seat aerobatic aircraft at our airport, so this seems to me like a logical choice.

We do not do aerobatics in our Cessna 421, for example.

I happen to know that a 172 will do spins, rolls, loops and hammerheads - I've seen them all done. But is it a smart thing for most pilots to do so? No.

I frequently enter and recover from inverted spins below 1,000 feet, and am quite happy to do so. I really doubt anyone else here can make that claim. So, perhaps I know a little bit about spins. I also know that it would be foolish for me to leave a parachute sitting on the bench, when I know that I'm going up to do some aerobatics.

But perhaps I don't know as much about spins as current (and future) Transport Inspectors.
---------- ADS -----------
 
fougapilot
Rank 7
Rank 7
Posts: 669
Joined: Fri Oct 08, 2004 4:49 am

Post by fougapilot »

niss wrote:Also there is the topic of parachute training is there not? Do you not have to be certified to operate a parachute?
Yes and no. You need to be trained to do skydiving, but only need to know how to open the chute if you will use one as an emergency escape system. This being said, knowing the "system" in this case the parachute does come handy once in a while.

I for one wear one everytime I fly acro / formation or formation acro in my Yak. Come to think of it, I can remember the last time I flew the Yak without my chute on.

I agree, they are not cheap. $1200usd for the chute and $1800usd for the helmet. Still in my book, a small price for added safety.

F
---------- ADS -----------
 
Hedley
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 10430
Joined: Thu May 27, 2004 6:40 am
Location: CYSH
Contact:

Post by Hedley »

Do you not have to be certified to operate a parachute?
Sigh. No.

There is no CAR that requires you to be "certified" to wear or operate an emergency parachute.

There is no CAR that requires you to wear an emergency parachute.

There is no CAR that even requires emergency parachutes to be maintained (eg repack).

When you receive dual aerobatic instruction, your aerobatic instructor will brief you on egress and operating procedures of the parachute you are wearing. There are many different makes and models and harness arrangements, but pretty well all will have a "D" ring about 3 inches across, which requires about a 20 pound pull to release a spring-loaded drogue chute, which will open the main chute. Bonus points for holding on the D ring until landing - great souvenir for the "I love me" wall.

You can steer most parachutes, by pulling the shrouds if nothing else. I might recommend avoiding power lines, and if you must land in the trees, cross your legs (unless you are a current or future Transport Inspector) and cover your face with your arms crossed.
---------- ADS -----------
 
mcrit
Rank (9)
Rank (9)
Posts: 1973
Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 9:01 pm

Post by mcrit »

Hed: the only thing that would have saved that instructor would have been an ejection seat.
---------- ADS -----------
 
niss
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 6745
Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2005 8:54 pm
Location: I'm a CPL trapped in a PPL's Body.
Contact:

Post by niss »

And what is the minimum altitude required to deploy said chute?
---------- ADS -----------
 
She’s built like a Steakhouse, but she handles like a Bistro.

Let's kick the tires, and light the fires.... SHIT! FIRE! EMERGENCY CHECKLIST!
Hedley
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 10430
Joined: Thu May 27, 2004 6:40 am
Location: CYSH
Contact:

Post by Hedley »

Your assertion that a parachute is useless without an ejection seat is ridiculous:

http://www.softieparachutes.com/html_fi ... nials.html

P.S. How's that application into Transport coming? As soon as they figure out what you're like, you're a shoe-in for 4900 Yonge St :wink:
---------- ADS -----------
 
fougapilot
Rank 7
Rank 7
Posts: 669
Joined: Fri Oct 08, 2004 4:49 am

Post by fougapilot »

Niss,

It depends on a lot of factors, but the main one is decent rate. If you decide to egress an airplane that is flying straight and level (due to a cabin fire for example) 500ft agl is sufficient for the parachute to do its job and save your life (note: no promises are made as to quality of said life after parachute ride, but chances are you will survive). The parachute will open rather quickly (250ft ish) but may not have time to stabilize before landing.

On the other hand, if you have a control isue and are in a near vertical attitude... then one would need a couple thousands feet for the complete egress procedure to work.

Personally, there are only 2 reasons I would evacuate my airplane in flight (and both are briefed to my pax). One is Fire. I refuse to burn to death sitting on a parachute. The second is loss of control (due to mechanical failure or collision). Every other scenario, I will fly the airplane to the scene of the crash.

Cheers,

F
---------- ADS -----------
 
User avatar
Clodhopper
Rank 5
Rank 5
Posts: 374
Joined: Wed Dec 07, 2005 5:24 pm
Location: Wishing the only ice I saw was in my drinks...

Post by Clodhopper »

The only thing with the Cherokee 140 is that it is very strict in terms of Weight and Balance when it comes to spinning it. Because of the shorter arm to the rudder and elevator, you have to have the C of G far enough forward to allow for efficient use of controls during recovery.

I spin them all the time, love it, the only thing is occasionally it tends to start flattening out if you hold it for too many rotations. (Not including the 'flattening' out when it hits the ground)
---------- ADS -----------
 
a.k.a. "Big Foot"
Post Reply

Return to “Flight Training”