Why is there a spiral limitation in the Beechcraft Skipper POH?
Asked by: flyanything 3995 views Aerodynamics, General Aviation, Private Pilot
I was recently offered the chance to hour build in a friend's Beechcraft Skipper. I've always been a fan of Beechcraft and have time in a D and S-35, but never a Skipper. Before flying it I started going over the POH and checklists just to familiarize myself and I came upon something that I just don't understand. I can't figure out if I'm interpreting the written words incorrectly or if this is an actual limitation in the aircraft. There is a note in the POH and I've come across many posts on forums agreeing with it, but no one explains why. The note says that a Skipper should not be spiraled for more than 2 turns. Prohibiting a spin for more than two turns would make a lot of sense, CYA and all that, but not the spiral descent. And this is noted after the spin recovery section. It's a good, efficient, way to descend. It's even on the PPL check ride and its sticking out in my mind because I was just practicing emergency spiral descents in a 172 with a friend. The only thing that I could think of was another note saying not to idle the plane ever in flight that descents should always be made with at least some power on. Is this a case where the slight throttle is going to overstress the airframe? Or you'll either ice the carb or hit Vne? It doesn't seem likely to me especially since it's a utility category aircraft like most Beechcraft. Anyway this was a head scratcher for me and I thought maybe a CFI that had instructed in one would know the definitive answer. Thanks
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