Guidelines for All-Attitude Training

GUIDELINES FOR PILOTS SEEKING ALL-ATTITUDE TRAINING The following is intended as a general guide only. The layout is similar to that of an Advisory Circular.

OW TO EVALUATE SPIN, horizon; the definition of aerobatic equally imprudent to attempt spin EMERGENCY MANEUVER, UPSET flight, however, does not specify pitch training in an aircraft in which H attitude or bank angle. The 30/60 rule, intentional spins are not approved, or RECOVERY, LOSS OF CONTROL, AND which appears in FAR 91.307 (c), with an instructor who has minimal AEROBATIC TRAINING PROGRAMS specifies the conditions under which experience spinning a particular model. parachutes must be worn by occupants 1. Purpose. This information is of an aircraft. In the classical sense, the Since regulations tend to allow primarily for pilots who are interested term aerobatics includes spinning, considerable latitude in the case of all- in receiving training in spins, looping, and rolling an aircraft attitude instruction, the aviation emergency maneuvers, upset through 360 degrees of yaw, pitch, and consumer—you—must apply your recoveries, loss of control, and roll. own set of standards in your quest to aerobatics (collectively, all-attitude find quality training. Although these training). It also provides guidance to AFM/POH. Refers to the approved guidelines do not guarantee competent, those who provide such training. Since Airplane Flight Manual or Pilot safe instruction, they should equip you most all-attitude training is typically Operating Handbook. with some of the information needed conducted in aircraft approved for to assess the services offered by acrobatic flight, relevant regulations FAA, FAASTeam. Federal Aviation various operators and make an and airworthiness standards are Administration, FAA Safety Team. informed decision. reviewed as well. FAR. In an aviation context, the Code 6. Evaluating The School. Finding a 2. Related Reading Material. The of Federal Regulations (specifically good school is where the process following documents are available 14 CFR Parts 61 and 91) is more begins. An excellent starting point is online at http://www.faa.gov: commonly referred to as Federal the IAC, which not only publishes an Aviation Regulations or FARs. online directory of aerobatic schools, 1. AC 61-67C, Stall and Spin but also has decades of experience Awareness Training FOD. Foreign Object Damage. compiling information on subjects 2. AC 90-23F, Aircraft Wake Unsecured items in the cockpit can ranging from competitive aerobatics, Turbulence cause damage, injury, or jammed to human factors, to technical 3. AC 91-51A, Effect of Icing on controls. problems affecting aerobatic aircraft. Aircraft Control and Airplane Deice Also watch for magazine articles and Anti-Ice Systems (see IAC. International Aerobatic Club. highlighting aerobatic schools and talk Appendix 1. Roll Upset) to other pilots about their experiences. 4. AC 91-61, A Hazard in Aerobatics: Load Factor. Also referred to as g-load. Effects of G-Forces on Pilots Load factor is the ratio of wing lift to If possible, visit the prospective school the total weight of an aircraft (G = and take note of its atmosphere. The 3. Background. The last decade has L/W). Positive Gs press the pilot more size of the operation is not important; seen a renewed emphasis on all- firmly into the seat; negative Gs push what is important is the attitude of attitude training at all levels, from the pilot out of the seat. those working there. Find out what general aviation through transport teaching aids are used in the classroom, category operations. Improved LOC. Loss of Control, which refers to and ask for recommendations on training materials have become aircraft accidents resulting from related reference materials. Find out if available as well as new training situations in which the pilot should the school specializes in the training aircraft approved for intentional spins have maintained or regained aircraft sought and request a list of former and other aerobatic maneuvers. In an control, but did not. LOC is divided students. Ultimately, you should feel effort to enhance safety in this unique into two types: Loss of Control- comfortable with the surroundings and still relatively unregulated Ground (LOC-G), and Loss of Control- and confident in the school’s ability to environment, some basic guidelines Inflight (LOC-I). provide the training services you seek. for general aviation pilots are warranted. SAFE. Society of Aviation and Flight 7. Evaluating The Program. For many Educators. reasons, aerobatic schools tend to be 4. Definitions. logical sources for all-attitude training. Aerobatics/Acrobatics. FAR 91.303 5. General Considerations. All- Bear in mind, however, that aerobatic defines aerobatic flight as an intentional attitude training is a highly specialized capability itself is not necessarily a maneuver involving an abrupt change in field of endeavor, commanding the good indicator of the wherewithal to an aircraft’s attitude, an abnormal attitude, same attention to detail and provide training in the context of or abnormal acceleration, not necessary for professionalism as other forms of emergency maneuvers. Teaching normal flight. flight training. For instance, just as it precision aerobatics is not the same as would be imprudent to fly in the teaching pilots to recognize the Aerobatic flight is often mistakenly clouds in an aircraft not equipped to warning signs that precede common assumed to occur only when an handle flight in instrument accidents, or how to recover from loss aircraft exceeds 30 degrees of pitch or meteorlogical conditions, it would be of control scenarios. 60 degrees of bank relative to the

One of the earmarks of a quality all- half loop-half roll and the As is true with other forms of flight attitude program—be it a Part 61 or hammerhead. Inverted turns and training, the all-attitude instructor is Part 141 operation—is the existence of inverted spins may be included as well. the vital link in the learning process. a training syllabus. Schools that It is wise to insist on recoveries from The instructor will be coaxing you specialize will be able to present a botched aerobatic maneuvers, too. through some exciting and unusual clear plan of action. You certainly attitudes. You may be exposing your cannot earn a pilot’s certificate or an 8. Evaluating The Instructor. The innermost fears to this person, and you instrument rating without requirements necessary to earn various will be placing your life into the comprehensive ground instruction certificates and ratings are listed in instructor’s hands. Ask about the coupled with hands-on experience. FAR Part 61. Additionally, Part 61 instructor’s background. Ascertain The same is true with all-attitude addresses minimum requirements and whether the instructor specializes in training. A thorough briefing before logbook endorsements needed to tow all-attitude training, or if it is merely a each flight is a must (the cockpit is a gliders or act as pilots-in-command of passing interest. Moreover, if you do lousy classroom). Be wary if ground tailwheel aircraft. Yet no separate not develop a good rapport with the instruction only occurs during the certificate, rating, or endorsement is instructor, do not hesitate to request stroll out to the airplane, or if the required to specifically qualify an another one, or to look elsewhere. training philosophy is that you’ll learn individual as an all-attitude instructor. all you need to know in the air. Good instructors will tailor their style However, flight instructor applicants to match your abilities and needs. Besides being exhilarating, the training are required to receive a spin Professional instructors will instill should improve your knowledge and endorsement certifying that they are confidence, will treat you as an equal, experience base, stick and rudder skills, “competent and proficient” in spin and will be sensitive to your and situational awareness. It is not an training instructional skills. But as physiological make-up. Expect to do iron man competition to see how many several studies have shown, flight the bulk of the flying yourself—after Gs can be pulled. Also, it is a rare instructors in general do not possess all, that is why you have signed up for individual indeed who can tolerate a either the detailed knowledge or the this training. The instructor’s job is to full hour of this training. Forty-five hands-on experience to conduct spin coach you through various maneuvers minutes or so per flight is more training safely and purposefully. and procedures, not to impress you realistic. It is also reasonable to expect with his or her flying prowess. the following from various programs: Anyone claiming to be an all-attitude instructor must at least hold a valid When interviewing potential Spin Training: A primary spin course Commercial certificate if working for instructors, consider these questions: can be accomplished in an compensation or hire. The instructor environment of +0.5 to +2.5 Gs. At a must also be a certificated flight • Is the instructor a CFI? minimum, expect to review the instructor (CFI) to provide FAA • Does the instructor participate in material in AC 61-67C along with stalls endorsements. Other than that, CFI continuing education programs? and one-turn spins. A review of credentials are not necessary for • Does the instructor specialize? stall/spin accident scenarios coupled anyone to claim to be an all-attitude with recoveries from unusual attitudes instructor. Therefore, caveat emptor— • Does the instructor belong to IAC, is an excellent idea, too. buyer beware—applies when seeking SAFE, or other organizations? instruction. • Is the instructor involved with the Emergency Maneuver/Upset FAASTeam? Recovery/LOC Training: These A number of voluntary continuing programs can be accomplished from education programs exist for 9. The Training Aircraft. Unless -1.0 to +4.0 Gs, perhaps less (routinely instructors who wish to advance their certain special provisions are met, FAR experiencing more Gs than this is professional development, including: 91.319 prohibits the use of unnecessary). At a minimum, expect to experimental aircraft for compensation cover the same material as in a spin • FAA WINGS Program or hire. All-attitude training for hire may only be offered in certificated, training program plus rolls and rolling • IAC Aerobatic Achievement production aircraft; owners of upset scenarios. In-flight emergencies Awards Program such as control failures and off-airport experimental aircraft, however, may • SAFE Aviation Educator landing simulations may also be receive dual instruction in their aircraft. Mentoring Program included. • Master Instructors LLC It is imperative to restrict your Aerobatics: Basic aerobatics can be o Aerobatic Instructor maneuvers only to those clearly accomplished from -1.0 to +4.0 Gs, Designation Program approved in the AFM/POH. perhaps less (again, routinely o CFI Professional Intentional spins, for example, are only experiencing more Gs than this is Accreditation Program approved when operating in the unnecessary). At a minimum, expect to o Master Instructor Continuing Acrobatic category (notwithstanding cover spins, rolls, loops, and Education Program ADs or STCs that may have altered the combination maneuvers such as the airplane’s spin certification). In some

cases, intentional spins may be 10. Parachutes. Pursuant to FAR conducted contrary to 91.303, and if approved when operating in the 91.307 (c), approved parachutes are the operator cannot produce a waiver Utility category (consult the mandatory for flight operations that for your perusal, it is recommended AFM/POH). And intentional spins are will exceed 60 degrees of bank or 30 you switch to another school. never approved when operating in the degrees of pitch relative to the horizon. Normal category. The only exception is spin training. Yet 12. The Personal Commitment. even though parachutes are not Getting the most out of all-attitude Other approved aerobatic maneuvers required for spin training, it is training is a two-way street. You can must be reserved for airplanes recommended that they be worn select a good school, with an excellent designed to handle the rigors of nonetheless, if available. instructor, using the best equipment aerobatic flight. The minimum money can buy. It is up to you, structural design limits of +6.0 and -3.0 Many other all-attitude training however, to be committed to learn. Gs required of aircraft operated in the maneuvers will necessarily exceed 30 Review your class notes. Take time to acrobatic category afford a sufficient degrees of pitch and 60 degrees of mentally rehearse maneuvers and margin of safety above the loads bank; therefore, parachutes will be procedures at home before your next typically imposed during all-attitude required. Do not enroll in a program if flight. Go to the lessons armed with training. The training airplanes should parachutes are not included as questions and interact with your be well maintained and must be standard safety equipment. The instructor. operated within their prescribed parachutes must be inspected and weight and balance limits. repacked periodically (e.g., within the Basic programs can typically be as preceding 180 days if constructed of short as three hours, or as long as ten. Preflighting an aerobatic airplane is synthetic materials). In any case, it is important to pace not all that different from a non- yourself until the program is aerobatic airplane. Follow the 11. The Practice Area. FAR 91.303 completed. Fly a minimum of once a procedures in the AFM/POH, paying stipulates conditions under which week. More often is better, but no special attention to points of aerobatic flight is prohibited. No more than twice a day. This training is connection, the engine compartment, person may operate an aircraft in as mentally taxing as it is physically and control surfaces. Wrinkling or aerobatic flight: demanding, so allow ample time to deformations in the airplane’s skin rest between flights. Postpone a lesson should be questioned. Maintaining a • Over any congested area of a city, if you are not feeling well, and cut a sterile cockpit and baggage area is town, or settlement; lesson short if you start to feel uneasy. important to the safety of all-attitude • Over an open air assembly of training flights. Reduce FOD by persons; To reduce the risk of airsickness, try to securing items such as fuel strainers be well rested going into each lesson. • Within the lateral boundaries of and manuals. If possible, shine a Eating in moderation, drinking plenty the surface areas of Class B, Class flashlight down the fuselage behind of fluids, and avoiding junk food C, Class D, or Class E airspace the seats. Look for misplaced tools and immediately before or after flying will designated for an airport; other foreign objects everywhere you minimize airsickness tendencies. can. Also, dirt on the cockpit floor • Within 4 nautical miles of the could get in your eyes during low-g or center line of any Federal airway; The type of aircraft used, the inverted flight. Be sure to leave loose • Below an altitude of 1,500 feet reputation and geographic location of change, keys, pens, cell phones, and above the surface (expect your the school, and the experience of the unsecured cameras in the classroom. training to take place between instructor all influence the cost of all- 3,500 and 5,000 feet AGL or attitude training. Although the per- Some trainers have a redundant set of higher); or hour rate may seem higher when seatbelts for aerobatic flight. Learn • When flight visibility is less than 3 compared to traditional flight training, how to adjust the belts properly and statute miles. recognize that you will be gaining a how to operate the buckles. tremendous amount of aeronautical Emergency egress is an important A school nestled in a metropolitan area, knowledge and practical experience in consideration as well, so inquire about or under a complex web of controlled a compressed amount of time. The the airplane’s egress procedure. The airspace, may need a waiver issued techniques learned will improve your door or canopy on most aerobatic pursuant to 91.903 and 91.905 to other flying skills significantly, and airplanes can be jettisoned by conduct the training legally. The might save your life someday. removing a pin and/or pulling or waiver lists the specific provision(s) of pushing on a clearly marked handle. 91.303 that are being waived, and Once you select an instructor and a You may be able to push windows out defines the physical size and location program you are comfortable with, try as well. Rehearse the emergency egress of the aerobatic practice area. The to relax. You are embarking on a procedure with your instructor. waiver lists altitude limitations, hours unique flying experience; butterflies in effect, and any special provisions are perfectly normal. Focus instead on that must be satisfied as well. If you the techniques being taught. You’ll be feel your aerobatic training is being amazed at how quickly apprehension

dissolves into enjoyment and a desire 3. In-Flight Pre-Aerobatic Checks. stick/yoke. Once full opposite rudder to perform the maneuvers and Remember the FOUR A’s before has been applied briskly and is being procedures well. Above all, you commencing maneuvers: Altitude, held, proceed by moving the should come away from this training Articles, Aircraft, Airspace: stick/yoke toward neutral elevator. rewarded with enhanced confidence, a Apply whatever force is required to deeper appreciation for the flight 1. Be sure you have enough Altitude make the elevator control move. environment, and a profound respect to begin. Factor in the maneuvers Continue to move the stick/yoke for the special equipment and piloting to be flown, your current level of however far beyond neutral it takes for skills needed to handle an airplane proficiency, and an adequate spinning to cease. In some cases, full safely in any attitude. margin of safety. elevator deflection—all the way to the 2. Verify all loose Articles are secure, control stop—will be required. Once * * * which includes windows, doors, spinning ceases, neutralize the rudder canopies, and occupants. before returning to level flight. EMORY AIDS – SIMPLE 3. Verify the Aircraft is configured STRATEGIES FOR SAFETY properly: mixture, switches, fuel Discussions about spin recovery must M selector, engine instruments, carb always be done in the proper context. DURING ALL-ATTITUDE TRAINING heat/alternate air, flaps. As the name implies, “NASA Standard

4. Clear the Airspace for other traffic Spin Recovery” as elucidated with the 1. Introduction. The secret behind and make sure you are complying PARE acronym is the standard for becoming a proficient pilot can be ® either with the provisions of FAR light, single-engine airplanes. Flight summed up in three words: practice, 91.303 or a waiver for the area. manual or alternative spin recovery practice, practice. Defining the recommendations must be considered objective, outlining the plan, and 4. Unusual Attitudes. Remember to in the context of the NASA Standard repeating quality training scenarios RELAX. Whether encountered and the airplane in question. over and over again until they become intentionally or not, most unusual instinctive are key to maximizing your attitudes are pilot-induced. 6. Inverted Attitudes. Should you find all-attitude training experience. Continuing to try to force the airplane yourself upside down, or in a steeper Continued proficiency, however, to fly without enough energy, or at the bank than you had intended, requires routinely reviewing the wrong angle of attack, or with remember Power—Push—Roll: procedures. misapplied controls, can quickly lead

to an inadvertent stall/spin or 1. Reduce Power if the nose is below Following are some aids that might unplanned inverted attitude. The the horizon and airspeed is prove beneficial during your all- airplane will often return to a more increasing (e.g., downward attitude training and beyond. normal state if you simply relax your spiral); increase power if the nose

grip on the controls early enough in is above the horizon and speed is 2. Emergency Egress. Having to bail the loss of control sequence. decaying, or if you are low and out of an airplane during all-attitude slow (e.g., wake turbulence close training is an extremely rare event. But Rather than fighting the airplane as it to the ground). just in case, remember the THREE H’s: departs controlled flight, abort errant 2. Apply a slight Push on the Handle, Headset, Harness. maneuvers early. Aborting will allow stick/yoke to reduce the positive

you to regain control faster with more g-load (i.e., unload the wing, 1. Grab the emergency Handle (it is options at your disposal. reduce AOA). often red, or should be) and 3. Apply full aileron along with jettison the door or canopy. Many 5. Inadvertent Spins. Whether the spin some coordinated rudder to Roll aerobatic aircraft have a retaining is intentional or inadvertent, the the airplane upright. pin that must be removed first to PARE acronym (pronounced "pair") unlock the handle; then pull or ® provides a systematic check as well as Avoid pulling while you are rolling; push the handle as required. optimal sequencing of anti-spin roll completely upright first, then 2. Remove your Headset and drop it controls in light, single-engine return the airplane to a level pitch to the side (if you are wearing a airplanes: attitude. helmet, disconnect the headset

cord from the airplane). 1. Power—Off 7. In-Flight Engine Failure. Recall 3. Undo your seatbelt Harness and 2. Ailerons—Neutral (+ flaps “up”) Speed—Spot—Set-up: move the loose ends away from 3. Rudder—Full Opposite to the your body. direction of Yaw (hold until Without delay, establish the best glide 4. Exit the airplane, headfirst if need rotation stops) attitude that corresponds to the best be. As soon as you are clear of the 4. Elevator—Neutral glide Speed. Then select and head airplane, Look at the ripcord toward a suitable landing Spot. If time handle (the D-shaped ring on “Elevator—Neutral” is a direction of and altitude permit, Set-up for landing your parachute), Grab it with both movement during recovery, not by configuring the airplane according hands, and Pull! necessarily the final location for the to the AFM/POH.

If landing off-airport, consider opening or even jettisoning the door or canopy prior to touchdown (time and other flying duties permitting) so you can more easily exit the airplane once on the ground.

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Advisory Circulars – www.FAA.gov Aerobatic Instructor Designation Program – www.MasterInstructors.org Council on Unusual Attitude Training & Education – www.stallspin.com FAASTeam – www.FAASafety.gov IAC – www.IAC.org SAFE – www.SafePilots.org Rich Stowell – www.RichStowell.com Upset Prevention & Recovery Training Association – www.uprta.org

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