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From: bob@ulose.UUCP ( Bob Bismuth )
Newsgroups: net.aviation
Subject: Re: spins
Message-ID: <120@ulose.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 3-Sep-85 10:31:10 EDT
Article-I.D.: ulose.120
Posted: Tue Sep  3 10:31:10 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 5-Sep-85 01:00:38 EDT
References: <401@tektools.UUCP>
Organization: CADMUS Computer Systems, Lowell, MA.
Lines: 50

> 
> I thought about it for a couple of days and decided to try it again to
> see if it was a fluke.  No fluke.  Identical behavior.
> 

Well, you'd never have caught me trying it a second time! I think I would
have searched out a good acro CFI and talked it through with him/her to 
understand what happened. Maybe I'm chicken, but one crash can spoil your
whole day.

If you are really interested in cross-controlled spins, flat spins and
the like, get a good acro CFI and a plane that's certified in the Unlimited
Acro category. Also, get a proper 'chute and make sure that you actually
can get out of the craft you use when practising. You are right to
caution people about such spins.

For details on spin aerodynamics there has been a series of very good
articles in the EAA Sport Aviation publication running since the beginning
of this year. All types of cross-controlled, flat and inverted spins are
described, along with the dangers and recover techniques for each type.

There was also an interesting short about a flat spin in a Luscombe 8,
of particular interest to me since most of my recent time is in one. It
seems the owner decided to take a friend (pilot) up to try some spins.
At 4000 ft AGL, he spun it. Trouble was the nose didn't drop below
the horizon.

The plane turned slowly and quietly and no amount of power would break
the spin. Realizing what was going on, the owner calmly opened the left
door (since there is no "headwind' in a flat spin) and started climbing
out over the lift strut. Half way over the strut the nose fell through 
the horizon. He quickly got back in and recovered from a 'normal' spin.

What went wrong for him? Weight and balance. When they landed they 
discovered the plane had so many uneven coats of paint and un-logged
modifications that the cg was 1" too far aft. That'll do it do you
everytime - moral of the story: if you're going to spin it, make sure
of your cg first, then make sure the plane is certified for spins at
your proposed takeoff weight and balance configuration/distribution.
Above all, get some instruction first for any type of spin.

What amazes me is that the guy had the presence of mind to climb out.
I know the door/strut configuration very well and am not sure I could
have managed it with the plane sitting on the ground and the engine
turned off.

     --  bob
	 (decvax!ulose!bob)