Accredited Activity Information

1. There is no cost for this activity
2. Activity Details

You earned your private pilot rating in gliders last summer. Since that time you have been flying the club’s Pilatus B4 and trying to get a grasp on thermalling. Each flight seems to be getting better and your ability to stay airborne has been improving. Today seems very promising. The talk on the flightline was of abundant 7000’ AGL thermals. Off tow you immediately connect with lift and climb to 5000’ AGL.

Leaving that thermal, you head north and soon hit the strongest lift you have ever encountered. You turn left and begin your second climb of the flight. As you establish your self in the thermal you notice Joe and his student Mark in one of the club’s ASK 21 has joined in the thermal below you.

This thermal is different than any you have previously flown in. The lift is stronger than you have seen. The variometer oscillates between 2 and 6 knots up. This oscillation is making the airmass very turbulent. You also notice the peak lift is pretty small. As you hit the next surge of strong lift you increase your bank angle and ease the stick back to tighten the turn and stay in the lift. When you do this the glider’s nose rapidly slices to the left, the nose drops and the glider rolls inverted. Out of the corner of your eye, you see the ASK 21 flash past.

After the soaring day ends you are sitting in the club room unwinding and listening to the stories of the other pilot’s exploits for the day. Joe walks in and quietly asks you to join him in the hangar for a private discussion.

Flying gliders is vastly different than flying an airplane. Although the mechanics are basically the same the employment is completely different. Airplanes tend to fly from point A to point B in a straight line in level flight. Gliders on the-other-hand need to follow the areas of lift. An airplane only turns when it has to. Gliders are turning most of the time to remain in an area of lift until they get high enough to proceed to the next lift. Making this more challenging is when the glider is attempting to climb, they are turning at high angle of attack (slow speed) in turbulent air. The result is glider pilots spend a fair amount of time maneuvering at the low end of the flight envelope where they are susceptible to stall and potential spins.

This activity exposes glider pilots to the extreme lower corner of the flight envelope in a safe and controlled manner.

Review Materials

Sailplane Stall & Spin Awareness Training

Objective

1. Recognize the conditions where a loss of control and possible spin might occur
2. Distinguish a spin from a spiral dive
3. Execute the proper recovery procedure

Knowledge:

1. Purpose of and procedures for spin awareness and spins.
2. Aerodynamics associated with spins in various glider configurations, including the relationship between angle of attack, airspeed, load factor, aircraft weight and center of gravity, attitude and yaw effects.
3. What causes a spin and how to identify the entry, incipient and developed phases of a spin.
4. How to determine if an aircraft is approved for spins based upon the airworthiness category and type certificate.
5. Entry procedure and minimum entry altitude for intentional spins.
6. Control positioning to maintain a stabilized spin.
7. Flight situations where a spin may occur
8. Recognize conditions that lead to a spin for future avoidance
9. Proper spin recovery procedure for the aircraft being flown.

Risk Management:

1. Factors and situations that could lead to an inadvertent loss of control and spin.
2. Range and limitations of stall indications.
3. Spin recovery procedure.
4. Effect of environmental elements on glider performance related to spins (e.g. turbulence, microbursts, and high-density altitude).
5. Collision hazards.
6. Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness or disorientation.

Skills:

1. Clear the area.
2. Select an entry altitude that allows recovery no lower than 2500’ AGL.
3. Enter and recover from intentional spins as directed by the instructor.

Procedure

1. Review the attached presentation and associated videos
2. Complete the Sailplane Stall and Spin Awareness Training quiz
3. Verify appropriate aircraft and proper configuration
4. Normal aero tow
5. Select an entry altitude that allows recovery no lower than 2500’ AGL.
6. Clear the area.
7. Enter and recover from intentional spins as directed by the instructor using procedures outlined in the POH.
8. Terminate spin awareness training above 2500’ AGL

Additional Discussion

§ 91.307 Parachutes and parachuting.

(a) No pilot of a civil aircraft may allow a parachute that is available for emergency use to be carried in that aircraft unless it is an approved type and has been packed by a certificated and appropriately rated parachute rigger—

(1) Within the preceding 180 days, if its canopy, shrouds, and harness are composed exclusively of nylon, rayon, or other similar synthetic fiber or materials that are substantially resistant to damage from mold, mildew, or other fungi and other rotting agents propagated in a moist environment; or

(2) Within the preceding 60 days, if any part of the parachute is composed of silk, pongee, or other natural fiber or materials not specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section.

(b) Except in an emergency, no pilot in command may allow, and no person may conduct, a parachute operation from an aircraft within the United States except in accordance with part 105 of this chapter.

(c) Unless each occupant of the aircraft is wearing an approved parachute, no pilot of a civil aircraft carrying any person (other than a crewmember) may execute any intentional maneuver that exceeds—

(1) A bank of 60 degrees relative to the horizon; or

(2) A nose-up or nose-down attitude of 30 degrees relative to the horizon.

(d) Paragraph (c) of this section does not apply to—

(1) Flight tests for pilot certification or rating; or

(2) Spins and other flight maneuvers required by the regulations for any certificate or rating when given by—

(i) A certificated flight instructor; or

(ii) An airline transport pilot instructing in accordance with § 61.67 of this chapter.

(e) For the purposes of this section, approved parachute means—

(1) A parachute manufactured under a type certificate or a technical standard order (C-23 series); or

(2) A personnel-carrying military parachute identified by an NAF, AAF, or AN drawing number, an AAF order number, or any other military designation or specification number.

The Soaring Safety Foundation encourages and recommends wearing a parachute during spin awareness training

3. Syllabus

S-AK2-W-1.0-02 Elective

S-AF2-W-1.0-02 Elective

• Stall Awareness
• Spin recognition and recovery
• Spiral dive recognition and recovery

4. References:

• FAA-H-8083-25 Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Chapter 5
• FAA-H-8083-13 Glider Flying Handbook, Chapters 3 & 8
• FAA-H-8083-3 Airplane Flying Handbook Chapter 3
• FAA-S-8081-8 Flight Instructor Practical Test Standards for Glider Category
• Advisory Circular 61-67 Stall and Spin Awareness Training
• POH/AFM.

5. Additional information

None

6. This activity was created on 2/20/2026
7. If you have questions about this activity, please contact pwrlessflt@msn.com