Draft AC 61-16 v1.0 - Spin avoidance and stall recovery training

Overview

The purpose of this Advisory Circular (AC) is to highlight to flight training operators and instructors, the risks associated with advanced stalling training, when conducted in aircraft that are not certified for intentional spins and minimize the potential for negative transfer of training.

The induction of spins in aircraft not certified for spinning has been occurring in the flying training context. It is possible this is due to the confounding of the definitions of the words “wing drop” and “incipient spin” in training and practice and has resulted in loss of control in the air (LOC-I) incidents and fatalities. It is possible that instructors may be conducting training beyond the limits of their aircraft to meet training needs without proper consideration of potential outcomes.

This AC provides information and guidance regarding the conduct of advanced stalling exercises; in particular, stalls with a wing drop. Definitions of wing drop at the stall and spin at the incipient stage are clarified, certification standards providing margins of safety in specific modes of flight are discussed, and methods of training and practice are provided.

Draft AC 61-16 v1.0 is new and supports the ongoing activities of Part 61 of Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) – Flight Crew Licensing, where the regulations require that training must be conducted by an operator authorised by CASA under Parts 141 or 142 of CASR, in accordance with an approved syllabus of training. The training and assessment must be conducted by a person authorised by CASA and satisfy the standards specified in the Part 61 Manual of Standards (MOS).

Draft AC 61-16 v1.0 will also provide guidance for an upcoming proposed amendment to the Part 61 MOS, to change the practice of advanced stall training. This proposed amendment would remove the requirement for recovery of spins at the incipient stage, in favour of avoiding spins by training recovery from wing drop at the stall, making it consistent with spin avoidance and stall recovery training principles used in International Civil Aviation Organization upset prevention and recovery training (UPRT).

The benefits of replacing the “incipient spin” exercise with “stall with a wing drop” are:

• alignment with ICAO UPRT training philosophy; in particular, spin avoidance and stall recovery training
• increased awareness of aircraft limitations, and the extent to which an aircraft is tested for certification
• removes the requirement for a spin to be induced with application of pro-spin rudder except for spin training activities which must be conducted in an aircraft certified for intentional spins.

This AC:

• clarifies definitions of wing drop at the stall and spin at the incipient stage
• discusses certification standards and the margins of safety provided in specific modes of flight
• describes the safe conduct of advanced stalling exercises, in particular stalls with a wing drop, consistent with spin avoidance and stall recovery training principles used in ICAO training standards for personnel licensing and upset prevention and recovery training (UPRT) standards.

This AC will be of interest to:

• Part 141 and 142 operators
• Heads of Operations
• Flight instructors
• Flight examiners
• Licensed pilots
• Student pilots

Why your views matter

This is the initial AC relating to spin avoidance and stall recovery training. We are seeking feedback on whether it provides adequate guidance on conducting advanced stalling exercises - in particular stalls with a wing drop. 

A copy of the draft AC is provided below. Please read the document before providing your feedback in the online survey.

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What happens next

At the end of the response period for public comment, we will review each comment and submission received through the online response form. We will make all submissions publicly available on the CASA website, unless you request your submission remain confidential. We will also publish a summary of consultation which summarises the feedback received, outlines any intended changes and details our plans for the AC.

Information about how we consult and how to make a confidential submission is available on the CASA website.

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