Spirals, Descents

Lesson Objective

The student will learn the hazards of the "Graveyard Spiral", the benefits of the "benign spiral", entry and recovery techniques from spiral descents. Also, the student will learn to expedite a return with a spiral descent.

Regulatory Requirement

Pre-Solo:

§61.87(i)(15)

Content

Spiral turn entry
Recovery from spiral turns

Completion Standards

The student must be able to perform

a spiral descent with and without airbrakes
the appropriate form of recovery from steeply-banked turn with nose low attitude
the hazards of inappropriate recovery from spiral dives.

The student must be able to explain

the hazards of spiral descents
the differences between spiral descents and spins
the recovery technique from a spiral descent
the incorrect techniques for recovery from a spiral descent
the benefits of a benign spiral.

Prerequisite Study

Learning to Fly Gliders, pages 76 and 77
Glider Flying Handbook, page 7-25

Recommended Study

Skylines, June 2005 "Stay Safe in Wave", article about benign spirals.

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