Out-Of-Control Flight Recovery

T-34C OUT-OF-CONTROL FLIGHT

CHAPTER TWO

Once this check is complete, the IUT will again take the controls, reconfirm the spin direction by

noting the turn needle, and recover the aircraft by utilizing the Normal Erect Spin Recovery

Procedures. Minimum entry altitude for the Control Release Spin maneuver is 9000 feet AGL.

Procedures

Perform the procedures to enter a normal erect spin in either direction.

After two turns, release the controls and conduct a systematic check of cockpit

indications and control positions.

Once the cockpit check is complete, take the controls and reconfirm spin direction by

referencing the turn needle.

Apply full rudder opposite the turn needle.

Position the stick forward of neutral (ailerons neutral).

Neutralize the controls as rotation stops.

Recover from the ensuing unusual attitude.

204. OUT-OF-CONTROL FLIGHT RECOVERY

Recovery from PSG and Incipient Spins (including the reversal phase of the Progressive Spin) is

accomplished through prompt, positive neutralization of flight controls in all axes. Patience and

the maintenance of neutral controls are vital, since an immediate aircraft response to neutralizing

may not be apparent to the pilot. In addition, cycling the controls or applying anti-spin controls

prematurely can aggravate aircraft motions and prevent recovery. Wrestling with the aircraft in a

gyration or Incipient Spin may be innately satisfying, but it is very likely to delay or prevent

recovery and increase altitude loss without accomplishing any positive results.

An important distinction must be made between stalls and OCF. A stall precedes OCF, but a

stall per se is not OCF. A stall by itself is mild and is associated with the partial or apparent

complete loss of control authority in one axis (almost exclusively the lateral axis as the nose

drops). OCF includes a rapid uncommanded motion that accompanies or follows a stall as well

as a more complete loss of control effectiveness. Stall recovery techniques are not appropriate

for OCF and should be abandoned once it has been determined the aircraft has departed

controlled flight. For example, an Approach Turn Stall (ATS) that exhibits the normal

characteristic of the nose pitch-down should be recovered using the stall recovery technique. If,

however, during the stall or recovery, the aircraft begins a rapid and uncommanded roll, the stall

recovery technique should be abandoned and out-of-control recovery should be initiated (neutral

controls, etc.).

Just as important as the distinction between stalls and OCF, is the distinction between Steady-

State Spins and other categories of OCF. Recovery from a Steady-State Spin by maintaining

neutral controls is uncertain. Consequently, after neutralizing the flight controls, if cockpit

2-4 UNUSUAL ATTITUDES AND OUT-OF-CONTROL FLIGHT