and while how one got to the UA can be of use, it is what to do when you find yourself there that is important.
Spot on, BOAC. I have always maintained that instrument interpretation is the key to prompt recovery. One thing I cannot understand is why instructors say "close your eyes while I put you in a UA, then recover" There is no way a pilot is flogging around in an aeroplane with closed eyes and so that practice is unrealistic.
Most modern airline simulators do not have the fidelity in terms of G forces. But the flight instruments still work as normal. Artificial horizons or ADI's -whatever you like to call them - are capable of 360 degrees rotation and 60 degrees or more in pitch. In the 737 simulator it is a simple task to pull to 20 degrees nose up and roll fully inverted. The instructor then simply freezes the simulator and at leisure discusses the instrument indication, position of the sky pointer and so on. The same thing is easily done on a desk top simulator.
Same with nose high attitude where the technique may be to roll to the nearest horizon while unloading. Any competent simulator instructor should be able to hop in the seat and demonstrate the recovery. Forget the aerodynamic loading fidelity - concentrate on what the artificial horizon, airspeed and heading information is telling you. It really is so simple. The feeling of disorientation that concern some pilots will lessen with proper UA training.
I don't buy the idea that it is better to teach the pilot not to get into the UA in the first place rather than show him how to get out of it. By the same principle you would not teach people how to swim but instead teach them how not to go near the water.
Doing a couple of UA's once every three years as part of cyclic training is a waste of time. It should be done at least three times a year in order to maintain confidence - and always in IMC (simulator of course). And if you cannot think of a suitable scenario then tell the student to imagine he has been caught too close behind an A380. The rate of roll would be phenomenal and the student would have to act quickly and in the right direction. Thank goodness for Sky Pointers...