Most student pilots have only a theoretical understanding of spins and spin recovery, since the FAA doesn't require in-flight spin training to get a Private Pilot certificate. Most schools don't focus on spin recovery and unusual attitude recovery, more than a quick lesson or two during private pilot training. In the US, only Flight Instructor candidates are actually required to have logged flight training of actual spins and spin recovery.
What is required of US Private Pilots? Only spin awareness training, ground training on the causes of spins, and ground discussion of spin recovery techniques.
In this seminar, experienced CFI and aviation legend Andy Geosits takes an important step in bridging that gap. As part of San Carlos Flight Center's Spin Clinic, running March and April of 2013, Mr. Geosits will dive deeper in to the forces that cause a spin to develop, and the errant flight control inputs that allow pilots to get themselves into spins. Key to the discussion will be a review of the 2nd Rule of Aviation, "There's no skidding in flying!" If you're a student, private, or commercial pilot, you owe it to yourself to become more knowledgeable about spin and spin avoidance. It could save your life.
Mr. Geosits will also talk about Unusual Attitude Recovery and light aerobatics in the Citabria and Super Decathlon. The safety seminar counts as ground portion credit toward the Spin Clinic flights running through March and April, in which pilots are taken up by an experienced instructor and allowed a chance to see flight situations that can lead to a spin, how spins develop, and how disorienting a real spin can be. Emphasis will be on developing a safe and automatic response to recovering from a spin and returning the aircraft to normal flight.
Note: Participation in this Safety Seminar only covers the ground portion of the Spin Clinic. Contact San Carlos Flight Center to book an appointment for an in-flight Spin Clinic session.