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Previous Questions:
Spins:
Questions answered by Gordon Penner, CFI and IAC34
President
1. Where should I look to figure out which
way I am spinningso that I use the
right (correct) rudder?
Answer: Both Rich Stowell and Gene Beggs (among others) state that you
must look directly over
the top of the cowling and no where else to determine the spin direction.
In his book, Spins
in the Pitts Special, Gene Beggs shows a diagram that illustrates how
looking anywhere else
can cause a pilot to mis-diagnose the direction of the spin.
2. If I have a turn and slip indicator
or a turn coordinator in my airplane will the
"ball" tell me which way I am spinning?
Answer: No, No, No, Rich Stowell has done extensive tests on this and has
access to the data
others have when testing this indicator. The ball does not show the
pilot which way he or she is
spinning.
3. If I have a turn and slip indicator or a
turn coordinator in my airplane will the "needle"
or the "little airplane" tell me which way I am spinning?
Answer: Yes, sometimes! According to Rich Stowell, the needle on the older
turn and slip indicators
which way you are spinning whether in an upright or inverted spin. The
newer and more complex Turn
Coordinators will tell you which way you are spinning if in an upright spin.
4. How can I tell if I am in a spin or a
spiral? In both I could have the nose down and see the
airplane performing a twisting action.
Answer: Use the airspeed gauge. It is the only gauge for determining
if the aircraft is in a spin or a
spiral that is required to be installed even in the most simple of airplanes.
If the airplane is in a spiral
the airspeed will be increasing. If in a spin the airspeed will be low and
steady, somewhere close to stall,
even if you do 20 turns in your spin.
DISCLAIMER:
The information on this web site
is not to be construed as flight instruction, or considered in any way
to be used in lieu of, actual training from an FAA certified instructor. The
information presented
on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute
flight instruction.
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