Through its analysis of GA accident data, the US General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC) suggests that proficiency training and education in aircraft stalls, spins, and upsets, including unusual attitudes, can reduce the incidence of Loss of Control (LOC) and associated accidents. The information provided in this Feb. 2022 briefing will help pilots understand and recognize, mitigate and recover from aircraft upset.
Upset recovery training was part of the basic training some decades ago, when most PPL instructors were former military pilots. My first instructor, former RAF Mosquito pilot, did that, and now I’m trying to transmit the heritage to my students. But nowadays, very few aircrafts are qualified aerobatic, and keeping a non aerobatic aircraft within its limited flight envelope requires carefully trained instructors.
That’s not a reason to give up. It is possible to issue some rules selecting what can be done with different type of aircrafts. In particular spins are out of reach, but spiral dives and lazy eight are feasible (My last spins 30 years ago with... Alphajet!).
Encouraging federation to propose aerobatics aircrafts “on lease” for flying schools and clubs.
But in the same spirit, another kind of instruction is needed “How to get out of dangerous scenarios”. This includes the identification of initial events, perception of risks and knowledge of escape techniques. For example “how to manage unforeseen weather degradation”.
