Sender: <marv@lancaironline.net>
To: lml@lancaironline.net
Date: Thu, 02 Aug 2007 13:52:10 -0400
Message-ID: <redirect-2227464@logan.com>
Received-SPF: pass
 receiver=logan.com; client-ip=198.36.178.142; envelope-from=JJHALLE@stoel.com
Content-class: urn:content-classes:message
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
	charset="us-ascii"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Subject: What causes stall/spin
In-Reply-To: <list-2226544@logan.com>
Thread-Topic: What causes stall/spin
Thread-Index: AcfU7IHpBWtt+H2lT3enmGIsHdgQWgAMWthQ
From: "Halle, John" <JJHALLE@stoel.com>

=20
At the risk of once more running into a long-standing brick wall (well
marked on all the Sectional Charts) I feel obligated to point out what
seems to me to be obvious.  Stall/spin accidents are not caused by the
absence of an AOA device in the cockpit.  They are caused by pilots
exceeding the stall AOA and, in most cases, greatly exacerbated by the
pilot's reaction to the stall.  In the moments before such an event,
there are any number of indicators of impending stall including airspeed
(not as accurate or as fast as AOA but close enough to make it
absolutely clear that there is a huge risk) mushy controls, buffet or
other physical indications, visually apparent aircraft attitude and a
host of other factors that, if they are not apparent to the pilot,
suggest that the pilot should seriously question his or her ability to
fly safely.

With rare exceptions, stall accidents are preventable even following the
stall by quick and appropriate remedial action by the pilot which NEVER
includes either (i) initially fighting a wing drop with aileron or (ii)
pulling even further back on the stick (the two most common instinctive
reactions.)  An immediate reduction in "g" followed by appropriate
corrective action can almost always prevent the spin and lead to a
recovery within a few hundred feet.

Most importantly, prevention is the critical element in any high
performance aircraft with unknown and probably poor spin recovery
characteristics.  Most or all of the Lancair stall/spin accidents have
happened either in CBs or in the landing pattern.  There is simply no
reason and no excuse for flying into a CB or for being in the landing
pattern prior to flare at any angle of attack close to critical.  Pilots
who allow either of these things to happen should not buy an AOA -- they
should tear up their licences and get a set of golf clubs.

AOAs are great fun but they are necessary only if you are trying to land
on an aircraft carrier.  If you want one, by all means buy one.  But if
you think that an AOA is a substitute for competent situational
awareness and airmanship, you are more unsafe than if you had never
heard of an AOA.