DylanAviation

Leighton Collins writing in the classic book, Stick and Rudder, describes “the great booby trap that the airplane sets for the pilot”. Consider a pilot starting a base to final turn, but the turn is developing too wide. The pilot realizes the plane will not be aligned with the runway when it rolls out of the turn, and the pilot makes a poor choice.

He/she uses the rudder to tighten the turn. Heavy in turn rudder causes the airplane to skid to the outside of turn. The out-board wing speeds up and develops more lift relative to the inboard wing. The bank becomes steeper.

The steeping bank causes the high wing to move even faster generating even more lift and the airplane over-banks severely. The over-bank causes the nose to drop precipitously. The pilot makes another poor choice. It is a common reaction to a steep, uncomfortable bank. The pilot applies out-turn aileron which sets up a cross controlled situation – left rudder and right aileron. Remember that during this scenario the pilot is holding in turn rudder.

As the pilot reacts to the over-bank with aileron, he/she also and instinctively reacts to the dropping nose by pulling back on the yolk. This is the pilot’s last and final choice.
The combination of cross rudder and aileron together with a strong pull on the elevator causes the wing to exceed the critical angle of attack.

The trap has been sprung, the low wing goes under the bottom and the airplane has entered a spin. Can a pilot escape from and survive this trap? I think yes, if he/she had taken the time and effort to get proper training.

Spin and Upset recovery training can save your life! Aerobatic training can save your life! Emergency Maneuver Training can save your life! Tail wheel training can save your life! Develop your stick and rudder skills, and have a lot of fun. It is your choice!