Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site zaphod.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxn!ihnp4!alberta!sask!zaphod!pauly
From: pauly@zaphod.UUCP (Paul Yeager)
Newsgroups: net.aviation
Subject: Re: Advice on obtaining pilot's license
Message-ID: <340@zaphod.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 27-Aug-85 16:37:11 EDT
Article-I.D.: zaphod.340
Posted: Tue Aug 27 16:37:11 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 30-Aug-85 07:48:25 EDT
References: <360@tektools.UUCP> <489@cepu.UUCP> <434@sdchema.sdchema.UUCP>
Reply-To: pauly@zaphod.UUCP (Paul Yeager)
Distribution: net
Organization: Develcon Electronics, Saskatoon, SK
Lines: 61
Summary: 

In article <434@sdchema.sdchema.UUCP> jpg@sdchema.UUCP (Jerry Greenberg) writes:
>
>    I will confess why despite my interest in aviation I have'nt
>taken lessons. It can be summed up in two words: "stall" and "spin". 
>
>
>    Jerry Greenberg

I can empathize with Jerry on these two points, however I now fear 
neither.  Early in the course of my flight instruction in Miami, my
instructor demonstrated stalls and stall recovery.  After that I was no 
longer terrified of stalls.  Before I go too much further here, let me
say that under certain conditions, such as at 100 ft. agl, a stall *IS*
terrifying.  One of the reasons that slow flight and stalls are a part
of the training program is to teach the student to recognize the onset
of a stall, and therefore be able to avoid the stall.

As for spins, well that's not quite so simple.  Due to the fatality
rate in spin training, spin training was dropped from the requirements
for a private license in the U.S.  My personal opinion of this is that
it is a foolish reaction to the problem.  If it is possible to spin an
airplane, the pilot had better know what to do about it.  When my job
required that I relocate to Canada temporarily, I obtained a student
permit here, and set about getting approved for solo while waiting for
the FAA to issue my Private Pilot ticket.  Spin training is still part
of the program here, so I got to experience spins and spin recovery 
first hand.  After the instructor and I did a few spins nd recoveries,
I went out solo one day and got up the nerve to spin.  The first one 
wasn't too bad, so I did it again.  The second one was so much fun, I
did four more!  I entered the spin at approx. 3400 ft. agl, and 
recovered before I lost 1000 feet.

The whole point of this is to say basically four things:

	1. Stalls and spins *ARE* things to avoid in everyday flight.

	2. While they are easily avioded, they *CAN* happen
	   (almost always do to pilot error.)

	3. Since they can happen, a pilot should be familiar with
	   the recovery procedures.  This requires practice, initially
	   under the direct supervision of an instructor.

	4. Stalls and spins *CAN* be practiced safely.  Using a plane
	   which has no nasty habits in stall or spin and keeping lots
	   of air between you and the ground are the key points here.

Let me also add here that a C-172 has to be really forced into a spin,
and it is said that *MOST* general aviaition singles will get 
themselves out of a spin if you let the controls loose.  I must admit
I've not yet found the guts to test that statement.

Before you let those mere words dissuade you from pursuing flight
training, find out what they really represent.


Paul Yeager

"There are old pilots,
and there are bold pilots,
but there are no old bold pilots."