Spin Endorsement

I got my spin endorsement today in a Super Decathlon at Northwest Regional. It was great fun, first time in a tail wheel and also got some light aerobatics. Glad I did it, more confident now how much it takes to actually get in a spin and then confident how to get out. Don't think I'll be rushing out to do much more aerobatics. Don't know if just because I'm concentrated on the basic skills, but smooth clearing turns are more fun now than seeing the ground become a blender.

Instructor took me through the preflight and after putting on the parachutes strapped into the 5 point harness. I got to taxi and fly, but instructor took off and landed. I love the feel of the Super Decathlon and also how the stick feels vs. a wheel. Only thing I can compare to is difference in handling from my street to race cars. A street car is mushy and you can't get quick movements even if you want. A race car is touchy, but with skill you can always tone it down, but the quick movements are there when you want.

Started out just with light turns and then some steep turns for the feel. Also first time with constant speed prop, so had to learn that and honestly I still don't understand completely. Something about Manifold pressure at 24, then unscrew prop until RPM 2,400. I'll have plenty of time in future to figure that out.

Actually started out with aileron rolls. Instructor demonstrated one first and then I did one. Feet to horizon and then hard aileron over. Mine wasn't as quick as instructor and we ended up fairly nose down. Talking about nose down, only problems with G's today was climbing out of the descents. Few times had to grunt a little.

We then started with ordinary stall, then a little uncoordinated, then half spin, and then a full spin. No big deal really, the spin really speeds up longer you go. Takes hard opposite rudder to get out. Took me about 3 before I got everything right with neutralizing the rudder once level wings and then back into throttle. Instructor then demonstrated a rapid spin and ground was nothing but a blender as I said above.

Did a few unusual attitude recoveries and then just flew back. I flew down to pattern and to downwind, instructor took over at numbers. Plane really smooth and easy to fly, really enjoyed it. Will definitely do tail wheel, but how motivated I am for aerobatics will have to wait.

For those looking for spin endorsement around DFW, I highly recommend Gilbert or Charlie in the Super Decathlon at http://www.marcairaviation.com/. Very nice brand new plane and great instructors. Our flight was 0.9 hours, so cost with instructor was under $200.