Flight Instructor Spin Training Endorsement Lesson Plan

Special Cases • 14 CFR 61.183(i) and AC 61-65

Ground and flight training for the flight-instructor spin-training endorsement, including instructional knowledge, spin recognition, entry, recovery, common errors, and risk controls.

Flight Instructor Spin Training Endorsement Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Aerodynamics and Risk:
    1:00
    Recognition and Recovery:
    1:00
    Instructional Flight Training:
    1:30
    Debrief and Endorsement:
    0:30
    Planned Time:
    0:00

  • Attention Getter:

    • Ask the applicant to distinguish a spin from a spiral dive and explain why an incorrect recovery input can rapidly worsen either condition.

  • Motivator:

    • A flight instructor must be able to recognize, explain, prevent, and recover from spins while managing a deliberately introduced high-consequence training risk.

  • Objective:

    • Develop and evaluate the instructional knowledge and flight proficiency required for the flight-instructor spin endorsement.

Help Us Grow

Enjoy CFI Notebook? A one-time donation helps us create more high-quality lessons, quizzes, scenarios, graphics, and interactive tools.

One-Time Donation
Flight Instructor Spin Training Endorsement Lesson Plan

Materials

Flight Instructor Spin Training Endorsement Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Part 1, Aerodynamics and Risk Controls:

    • Teach stall/spin aerodynamics, phases, incipient versus developed spins, factors affecting entry and recovery, spin versus spiral recognition, prohibited configurations, altitude planning, disorientation, parachute rules, and aircraft limitations.

  • Part 2, Recognition and Recovery:

    • Demonstrate spin awareness, entry cues, common aggravating inputs, manufacturer-approved recovery, altitude loss, and post-recovery checks.

  • Part 3, Instructional Practice:

    • Require the applicant to teach prevention, entry, recognition, recovery, errors, and risk controls while demonstrating competent spins in each direction as appropriate.
    • Terminate training for deteriorating conditions, aircraft limitations, physiological concerns, or loss of adequate recovery altitude.

  • Part 4, Debrief and Endorsement:

    • Evaluate instructional competence as well as aircraft manipulation; issue the endorsement only after satisfactory knowledge and proficiency.
Flight Instructor Spin Training Endorsement Lesson Plan

Student Actions

  • Explain spin aerodynamics, limitations, entry cues, recovery, errors, and instructional risk management.
  • Demonstrate competent spins, recoveries, and instruction in an approved aircraft without instructor assistance.
  • Recognize unsafe conditions and discontinue before margins are compromised.
Flight Instructor Spin Training Endorsement Lesson Plan

Completion Standards

  • Demonstrate satisfactory instructional proficiency in spin awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery procedures as required by ยง61.183(i).
  • Remain within aircraft limitations and the agreed altitude, weather, loading, and physiological risk controls.
Flight Instructor Spin Training Endorsement Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • The endorsement confirms demonstrated competence; spin instruction still demands aircraft-specific preparation and conservative recurring practice.

  • Closure:

    • Record the training and endorsement using current AC 61-65 guidance and establish personal spin-instruction limits.