Out for a spin!

Today I decided to do my spin training as required by my CFI prior to solo. One word: WOW!

I went up with a CFI from a flight school on the field near my flying clubs planes (more on that in a moment). We took a Citabria 150, a tandem (meaning the CFI sat behind me, not next to me) taildragger. Good experience, to be sure – but certainly different from the 172. We flew out to the aerobatic training area, up to 5000′, and got started. Pretty simple, really. All that needs to happen is to stall the plane with the throttle back as usual, and then just as the stall breaks – kick in full rudder one way or the other. We started to the left, and he did the first one. Incredible. In about 1 second you are pointed right at the ground, spinning. Recovery is easy – neutralize ailerons, full opposite rudder, and let the stick back forward. Turns out the only part that is hard on the body is the recovery from the dive itself – lots of positive G’s pulling the brain into the neck.

I did 3 each way, and with a throbbing headache headed back to the airport. GREAT training. Never again will stalls bother me.

1.0 hours/16.1 total