Which Way Will It Go?

For many, predicting the direction in which an airplane will spin is a Fools Errand-any spins should be avoided in the first place. But understanding how a spin develops and how control deflections help determine the spin direction also can help us avoid them.

Key Takeaways:

• Spins develop when an airplane's wing stalls (exceeds its critical angle of attack) and is simultaneously experiencing a yawing moment.
• Uncoordinated turns, such as slips or skids, are a common cause of spins because they combine a stall with a yawing moment.
• The airplane will spin in the direction of the lowered wing, which is the one that stalls first due to moving slower during the yaw.

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