Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Spin Awareness Lesson Plan
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area VII, Task E
The Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Spin Awareness Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with causes and procedures for recovery from unintentional spins and understands the risk associated with unintentional spins.
Introduction
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Schedule
Topic:Time:Attention/Motivator:0:05Part 1, Lesson Introduction:0:05Part 2, Spin Awareness:0:10Part 3, Spin Awareness Risk Management:0:10Part 4, Spin Awareness Guided Scenario(s):0:20Part 5, Lesson Conclusion:0:05Remotivation/Closure:0:05Total Ground Time:0:00
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Attention Getter:
- Research and present a mishap case study:
- Discuss how the initial conditions developed into an incident/accident/mishap
- Relate similar personal experiences of the same type of incident/accident/mishap
- Consider incorporating a case study as a guided scenario
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Motivator:
- Spin awareness gives pilots the recognition and judgment needed to prevent an inadvertent spin, interrupt developing stall-and-yaw conditions, and respond correctly if a spin begins.
- An aggravated stall resulting in auto-rotation about the spin axis wherein the aircraft follows a corkscrew path due to one wing being more stalled than another
- Characterized by high AOA (angle of attack), low airspeed, and high rate of descent where all aerodynamic and inertial forces are balanced
- It is this balance that must be upset to recover
- Spins can be entered from any flight attitude and from practically any airspeed
- A spin is initiated where the pilot includes or fails to include rudder, aileron, or power individually or in combination during a stall
- Auto-rotation occurs from an asymmetrical stall (think skid)
- There is an abrupt loss of control when leaving the stall and entering the spin
- Certification standards require the practice of spin procedures
- Ensure to follow appropriate regulations related to spins throughout the conduct of the maneuver
Materials
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Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) or an internet-enabled device to access FARs.
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
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Optional Materials:
- Instructor endorsement log.
- Pilot Logbook.
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Reference Materials:
- Spins Supplement.
- Instructor Endorsement Log.
- Register for the WINGS Program.
- Basicmed.
- Medxpress System.
- Fitness for Flight Supplement.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Stall Performance Supplement.
- Airplane Stall and Recovery Procedures Supplement.
- Visual Scanning and Collision Avoidance Supplement.
- Flight Deck Management Supplement.
- Test-taking Guidance.
- Test Guides.
- The Checkride Supplement.
Instructor Actions
- Before the lesson, review reference materials.
- Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
- If not previously discussed, provide expectations on time to train, ground instruction vs. flight instruction, and instructor/student availability.
- Review the lesson plan, including the attention and motivator.
- Review the airman certification standards (ACS).
- Part 2, Spin Awareness:
- Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply the aerodynamics associated with spins in various airplane configurations, including angle of attack, airspeed, load factor, power setting, weight and center of gravity, attitude, and yaw effects. (CA.VII.E.K1)
- Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply spin awareness.
- Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply the causes of spins and identify the entry, incipient, and developed phases. (CA.VII.E.K2)
- Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply auto-rotation.
- Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply spirals.
- Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply phases of a spin.
- Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply regulations related to spins.
- Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply spin aerodynamics.
- Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply aircraft requirements.
- Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply the spin recovery procedure. (CA.VII.E.K3)
- Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply spin recovery common errors.
- Part 3, Spin Awareness Risk Management:
- Identify factors and situations that could lead to an inadvertent spin and loss of control. (CA.VII.E.R1)
- Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply the range and limitations of stall warning indicators, including aircraft buffet and stall warning systems. (CA.VII.E.R2)
- Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply the risks associated with an improper or delayed spin recovery procedure. (CA.VII.E.R3)
- Evaluate environmental effects on airplane performance related to spins, including turbulence, microbursts, and high-density altitude. (CA.VII.E.R4)
- Identify and mitigate collision hazards before discussing or demonstrating spin-related maneuvers. (CA.VII.E.R5)
- Manage distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, and disorientation during spin recognition and recovery. (CA.VII.E.R6)
- Part 4, Spin Awareness Guided Scenario(s):
- Lead a guided scenario.
- Part 5, Lesson Conclusion:
- Tie lesson back to previous lessons to reinforce past experiences (law of readiness).
- Present the remotivation, conclude, and provide guidance for follow-on lessons.
- Review student actions required ahead of the next lesson.
- Update instructor endorsement records and the student's jacket, as required.
Guided Scenario(s)
- While turning base to final, the pilot notices they're about to overshoot the runway.
- Should the pilot just overshoot final toward the other side of the airport?
- Should the pilot increase the angle of bank and get back on final to avoid potentially flying into other aircraft's flight paths?
- Are there any other actions the pilot should or should not perform?
Student Actions
- Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
- Register for the WINGS program, if not done so already.
- Complete initial BasicMed requirements.
- Complete a student pilot certificate application through the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) website or by paper using FAA form 8710-1.
- Complete an electronic application for an FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) Medical Clearance, Medical Certificate, or Student Pilot Medical Certificate through the FAA's MedXPress system.
- Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, as appropriate.
- Complete or review AOPA's Essential Aerodynamics Online Course.
- Ask pertinent questions.
- Make a go/no-go decision, as appropriate.
Airman Certification Standards
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Spin Awareness Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge of the causes and procedures for recovery from unintentional spins and understands the risk associated with unintentional spins
- References: AC 61-67; FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge); POH/AFM.
Knowledge 3 ACS Elements
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CA.VII.E.K1: Aerodynamics associated with stalls in various airplane configurations, including the relationship between angle of attack, airspeed, load factor, power setting, airplane weight and center of gravity, airplane attitude, and yaw effects. -
CA.VII.E.K2: -
CA.VII.E.K3:
Risk Management 6 ACS Elements
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CA.VII.E.R1: Factors and situations that could lead to inadvertent spin and loss of control. -
CA.VII.E.R2: Range and limitations of stall warning indicators (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.). -
CA.VII.E.R3: Spin recovery procedure. -
CA.VII.E.R5: -
CA.VII.E.R6:
Skills N/A
N/A
Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
- Spin Awareness strengthens the coordination, energy awareness, and precise control needed to keep the airplane within safe aerodynamic limits.
- Recognizing changes in angle of attack, load factor, control effectiveness, wind drift, and developing errors allows pilots to correct before safety margins disappear.
- Structured practice builds visual awareness, aircraft feel, checklist discipline, and the judgment required to discontinue or recover when a maneuver becomes unstable.
- Mastery of Spin Awareness provides a foundation for the more precise and complex aircraft-control tasks encountered in later training.
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Closure:
- Inform students that this lesson will serve as a starting point for the next lesson.
- Advise the student to register for the WINGS program if they have not already done so.
- Advise the student to complete BasicMed if they have not already done so.
- Assign study materials for the next lesson.
- The FAA provides test-taking guidance and test guides on its website.
- To learn more about preparing for the practical test, visit the checkride page.