Spins

My aviation career began with Navy primary flight training in 1973. After a couple weeks of ground school, we SNAs (student naval aviators) strapped into the reciprocating-engine powered T34B - a tandem seat derivative of the Beechcraft Bonanza. The aircraft was pretty basic: retractable gear and flaps, a UHF radio, ADF, and limited (if any) instrumentation for IFR flight.

My instructors were either my age or older guys who’d just returned from the Vietnam War. Most all were great sticks and fine instructors – as the saying goes: firm, but fair.

One of the earliest maneuvers that I was introduced to, even before landing practice, was how to recover from a spin. Yes, it was scary for someone with no previous flight experience. My instructors had me demonstrate several spins and stall recoveries before I was released for solo. On that thrilling initial solo, one of the first things I did was climb to altitude, make a clearing turn, then perform a deliberate spin and recovery. It was a huge confidence builder knowing that if I screwed up and somehow got myself into an unintentional spin, I would know how to get out of it before planting myself into the ground.

I’m confident that SNAs still learn how to recover from a spin, but here’s my question: Are civilian student pilots required to demonstrate recovery from a spin? Let me know your thoughts.