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4 Answers

I scared myself

Asked by: 1628 views ,
Aerodynamics, General Aviation, Light Sport Aircraft

Every month I would take a flight to practice procedures. This time I made a mistake and scared myself. I am sharing this story for a others to learn from. I started my day with a rejected takeoff which was fine then I took off. I climbed to 8,000 ft and was going to practice a simulated engine fail which I was going to add power at 4,200 and level off at 4,000. Well I got to 8,000 and pulled power to low idle. I started to circle like I would in a real engine fail and I made the mistake of circling to tight and not descending at right glide speed. I ended up in a spin I added power to TOGO and broke the spin at 6,000 and leveled off at 5,800. I did expect a spin and scared myself. I learned during a engine fail or simulated engine fail I need to make wider circles and maintain at least 75kts. I did recover and decided not to practice stalls today because I was in shock and turned back to land. By the time I was on approach I calmed down and practiced a go around then landed fine. Now I see what I did wrong and shared this story so everyone can learn that it is very important to maintain a good glide speed not to slip to 50kts when should have maintained 75kts. Stay safe everyone!

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4 Answers



  1. Bryan on Feb 14, 2022

    I’m glad you made it, but you made another mistake that you should learn to correct. Chapter 4 of the Airplane Flying Handbook explains, “Power aggravates spin characteristics. It can result in a flatter spin and usually increases the rate of rotation.”

    Spin procedures are: Power idle, Ailerons neutral, Rudder opposite the direction of the spin, Elevator forward (nose down). Neutralize the rudder when the spin stops.

    This is the earliest point you should add power.

    Keep the nose down until the stall is broken and then add power to maintain airspeed as you level off.

    I don’t know what you were flying, but I suspect you could have recovered without losing 2,000 feet if you had taken out the power instead of adding it in.

    Glad everything worked out.

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  2. Skycatcher06 on Feb 14, 2022

    @Bryan thank you for pointing out mistake I really appreciate it. I love learning from my mistakes. I was flying the Cessna 162 skycatcher.

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  3. Best Answer


    LTCTerry on Feb 22, 2022

    To the OP – the Cessna 162 is not approved for intentional spins. I know your spin was not intentional, but in an airplane that is not approved, it’s all the more important to practice good spin avoidance!

    As mentioned above, power to idle it a typical first step in any spin recovery. I suggest you look at what the 162’s POH has to say.

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  4. Skycatcher06 on Feb 23, 2022

    LTC I will check it out thanks

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