Sport Pilot (Airplane) Spin Awareness Lesson Plan
Sport Pilot (Airplane) • PTS Area VIII, Task D
The Sport Pilot (Airplane) Spin Awareness Lesson Plan covers the knowledge and skills required by FAA-S-8081-29A.
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:
- Practicing spins build awareness regarding the recognition of, entry into, and recovery from spins
- 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:
Instructor Actions
- Review the maneuver's common errors and assess the learner's understanding of their mitigations.
- Review Spin common errors and mitigations.
- Use the guidance appropriate to the aircraft and visual or instrument flight conditions.
- 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.
- Part 2, Spin Awareness:
- Use retrieval questioning to have the learner explain the cause of stalls and what factors increase/decrease stall speed (AOA)
- Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply spin awareness.
- Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply sources of inadvertent stalls becoming spins.
- 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 aerodynamics.
- Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply aircraft requirements.
- Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply spin recovery procedure.
- Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply spin recovery common errors.
- Part 3, Spin Awareness Risk Management:
- Assess uncoordinated-flight, cross-controlled-stall, distraction, startle, delayed-recovery, low-altitude, and secondary-stall risks; require immediate angle-of-attack reduction and aircraft-specific recovery priorities.
- Required teaching coverage:
- Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain the aerodynamic conditions required for a spin, the effect of loading and center of gravity, and the entry, incipient, developed, and recovery phases. (SP.1)
- Recognize spin precursors and common departure scenarios, distinguish a spin from a spiral dive using reliable indications, and explain why low altitude sharply limits recovery options. (SP.2)
- Present a concrete example, then require the learner to explain and apply avoidance through coordinated flight, angle-of-attack and energy control, and immediate aircraft-specific recovery using the approved procedure without improvising a generic sequence where the manufacturer differs. (SP.3)
- 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 the instructor log and student progress. Select the student and sign off completed objectives. If the student does not have a connected account, record the update manually in the instructor log and student training record.
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
- Review the maneuver's common errors and explain how to prevent and correct each applicable error.
- Review Spin common errors and mitigations.
- Use the guidance appropriate to the aircraft and visual or instrument flight conditions.
- 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
Sport Pilot (Airplane) Spin Awareness Practical Test Standards
- Source: FAA-S-8081-29A, Section 1 - Sport Pilot Airplane.
- Task: SPIN AWARENESS (ASEL and ASES).
- References: AC 61-67; FAA-H-8083-3; AFM/POH.
- Objective: To determine that the applicant exhibits knowledge of the elements related to spin awareness by explaining:
Objective Elements 3 PTS Elements
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SP.1: Aerodynamic factors that cause spins. -
SP.2: Flight situations where unintentional spins may occur. -
SP.3: Procedures for avoidance and recovery from unintentional spins.
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:
- Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson.
- Assign study materials for the next lesson.