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Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2006 12:51:30 -0500
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Subject: RE:Down anywhere !!  spinning
Thread-Topic: RE:Down anywhere !!  spinning
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From: "Halle, John" <JJHALLE@stoel.com>

Part of the problem with spin recovery in Lancairs is that no one has
much information about the spin recovery characteristics of any Lancair
and the fact that they are built for performance (to say nothing of the
fact that those in the best position to know have not ventured to spin
them) suggests that they are not necessarily benign.  In VMC, I would
start with the standard spin recovery drill and if that did not work
would try other things (e.g. trying various ways of getting the nose
down and/or airspeed up.)  At least for upright spins, it is pretty easy
to figure out what direction you are spinning in and reasonably
intuitive to do what the book says to do.  In IMC, I think one has to
realize that the situation is dire (a lot like engine out at night.)
Since every airplane that I have ever spun will recover eventually if
you just get your mitts off the controls, I think I would start with
that.  If that did not seem to be working, I would do my best with what
I had available to try to determine spin direction.  If I had nothing
(which is not impossible) I would try one way but fairly gently and look
for improvement.  If there was none (or things seemed to be getting
worse) I would try the other way.  If none of that worked, I think I
would just sit and wait for any break that would allow a visual
assessment and go from there.  Even a short break through a layer would
provide a lot of information.

On the theory about the ounce of prevention, however,  I think the best
defense against IMC spins is not to stall.  There should be no reason,
for example, in my Legacy to ever be under 120k in IMC.  That is roughly
twice dirty stall.  I think anyone who lacks the ability to control a
Legacy in IMC to ensure that, with a target airspeed of 120, the speed
never falls below 70 should question what they are doing in IMC in the
first place.  In anticipation of the comment about severe turbulence,
icing etc., I repeat the last sentence.


John J. Halle
Stoel Rives LLP
900 SW 5th Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97204
(503) 294-9233 office
(503 545-4307 cell