Master Instructor Rich Stowell has published a new paper that tackles decades of conflicting guidance on recovery from spiral dives and other roll upsets.
The paper then offers “a simple, ready‑to‑adopt standard for general aviation: Power-Push-Roll,” Stowell says.
Loss of control in-flight (LOC-I) remains the leading cause of fatal accidents in general aviation. Most LOC-I events end in a stall, spin, or spiral dive linked to breakdowns in manual flying skills.
An expert in LOC-I, Stowell says, “Convoluted spiral dive and roll upset information has been confusing pilots for decades. Power–Push–Roll is an optimized recovery sequence that considers human factors and aerodynamic and structural limits.”
“Hands-on training is the only way to learn to successfully employ Power-Push-Roll when startled by an upset,” he adds.
The paper, which draws on historical guidance from regulators, manufacturers, and training providers, as well as Stowell’s nearly four decades of upset training experience, also highlights human factors traps like startle and the instinct to pull.
“It clearly delineates the line between upset prevention and recovery,” he says. “It recommends Power–Push–Roll as a GA-appropriate roll recovery strategy that complements existing standards for stall and spin recovery.”
Appendices provide ready‑to‑use roll recovery templates, teaching points, and checklists that can be incorporated directly into handbooks, syllabi, and Upset Prevention and Recovery (UPRT programs). Stowell also recommends improved training in manual flying skills and LOC-I awareness and avoidance, as well as ongoing practice with upset recovery techniques.
You can access the paper for free at RichStowell.com.
While learning to fly in Victoria BC, Canada, my instructor demonstrated a spiral-dive and the recovery procedure. I was then explained how and why an aircraft can go into a spiral dive. I was then taught to enter and recover. Later, I used to practise them in the practice area, solo, as I would be asked to perform them in my PPL & CPL check-rides. Speed keeps increasing and the descent rate is exceptionally high. Proper coordinated use of aileron and elevator is of paramount importance to ease the aircraft of the dive and without exceeding the speed limit. I am not sure if this particular manoeuvre is still taught to student pilots in the USA, Canada, Europe, S Africa, Australia or New Zealand. Many pilots who came to an interview to join an airline are not aware of this. It is sad and unfortunate.