Comments on: A distinctive plane

By: david

david — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 01:45:17 +0000

Sorry, Eric — I left the irony filter off. The point is that a Cherokee normally is mundane, while an Ercoupe is not.

By: Eric Tarbox

Eric Tarbox — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 22:10:30 +0000

In what ways is the Ercoupe mundane? Please explain.

By: Aviatrix

Aviatrix — Sun, 08 Oct 2006 14:25:35 +0000

Canada used to have the spin as a flight test item on the PPL, but they took it off for a reason similar to Sam’s. Analysis of stall-spin accidents showed that most unintentional spins were initiated at an altitude too low to recover even with perfect technique: they happened in the circuit or immediately after take-off. So the training was changed to emphasize recognition of the conditions that lead to a spin and recovery from aggravated stalls before spinning starts.

When I was a student pilot, my instructor sent me out to practise spins solo, but instructors aren’t allowed to do that anymore.

By: Sam Weigel

Sam Weigel — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 17:02:08 +0000

The FAA used to require spin training back in the day (ie before my time). They deleted the requirement after realizing there were FAR more fatalities during spin training than during unintentional spins. Since then, stall-spin accidents have continued to decrease – but I attribute that to aircraft design more than anything else. There are fewer low-powered spin-prone airplanes around; most of today’s new designs have a lot of power and posess docile stall characteristics.

By: Aviatrix

Aviatrix — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 00:56:35 +0000

"Spin awareness training" is required, and while the flight instructor has some latitude in deciding what to do, the guidance document states that "a demonstration of the full spin, performed by the student, is required during private pilot training. Students should be competent in recovery from a full spin while avoiding a secondary stall, excessive airspeed, or excessive altitude loss." I was told during training that the FAA is the only licence that does not require this training. I doubt it's true though, probably just the only major aviating country.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 12:38:40 +0000

While spins are no longer on the PPL flight test I was told they still had to be *demonstrated* to me during flight training. I’m not sure if that is required by TC or if it’s just a policy of my FTU. If it *is* a TC policy then even though not a test requirement it would be yet another reason to keep those 172/152/150’s around. (I did my flight training this past summer).

Good luck with the move to Rockcliffe – hopefully the switch works out well for you!