To many, the name Rich Stowell is synonymous with aircraft upset training, which should really be called “What To Do When Your World Turns Upside Down.”
Stowell, author of the recently published “Stall/Spin Awareness,” was the National Flight Instructor of the Year in 2006 and the first CFI to become a Master Flight Instructor of Aerobatics in 2001, so he knows about teaching stalls and spins and the anxiety these maneuvers can create.
For starters, the 8,000-hour pilot separates the myths from the realities of spins. Myth number one: Flying too slowly causes stalls. Actually it’s slow airspeed created by critical angle of attack. Also, for an aircraft to spin, it must yaw as well as stall.
The book breaks down the aerodynamic factors of stalls and spins and presents case studies of how spin testing is done by different manufacturers. There’s also a nice chapter on how to take command of stall and spin training for both the client and instructor pilot.
The book introduces the reader to the PARE spin recovery checklist: Power off, Ailerons neutralized, Rudder against rotation, Elevator forward. It also explores situations where pilots of all experience levels and abilities are most likely to encounter stall/spin situations.
The 520-page book sells for $34.95. It can be ordered from the author’s website at RichStowell.com, the Aviation Book Company (AviationBook.com) and is available at some FBOs.