Steep Spirals

WARNING:
All procedures are GENERALIZED.
Fly the maneuver in accordance with the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH)
and/or current Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

1. 

2. Select an altitude where recovery will occur no lower than 1,500' AGL and a descent will be no more than 2,000'
3. Brief all passengers
   • Let passengers know what you are doing, to buckle up and secure all objects and how to avoid pressurization build up
   • Tell them to let you know if they have any problems
4. Determine wind direction
5. Perform clearing turns
6. Select a reference point in an area where an emergency landing can be made if necessary
7. Generally, enter on downwind
   • Fly almost directly over the reference point
8. Approaching the reference point:
   • Enrichen the mixture
9. Abeam the reference point:
   • Reduce the throttle to idle
   • Roll into a steep bank (not to exceed 60°)
     • It is recommended to turn toward the side the pilot is sitting (left turn if in left seat)
   • Maintain a constant radius
   • Adjust pitch to maintain best glide speed
10. As the wind direction changes in the spiral, adjust bank angle to maintain a constant radius around the reference point
    • Clear the engine on the upwind legs every turn
11. Turning upwind, clear the engine every 360°
    • Operating the engine at idle speed for prolonged periods may result in excessive engine cooling or spark plug fouling
    • Check engine operation during the glide by "clearing" the engine on every upwind (to minimize any variation in ground-speed and turn radius)
12. Conduct a series of at least three 360° turns
13. Complete the maneuver on entry heading and set cruise power
    • Trim as necessary
    • Recover above 1500' AGL unless combining the maneuver with an Emergency Approach and Landing
14. Complete the cruise Flow/Checklist

15. 

• Failure to adequately clear the area
• Excessive pitch change during entry or recovery
• Attempts to start recovery prematurely
• Failure to stop the turn on a precise heading
• Excessive rudder during recovery, resulting in skidding
• Inadequate power management and airspeed control
• Attempting to perform the maneuver by instrument reference rather than visual reference
• Poor coordination, resulting in skidding and/or slipping
• Inadequate wind drift correct
• Failure to coordinate the controls, so that no increase/decrease in speed results when straight glide is resumed
• Failure to scan for other traffic
• Failure to maintain orientation

• Airman Certification Standards