Originally Posted by
Judd
Is incipient spin training permitted in your aircraft?
That seems to put the kibosh on the majority of flying school trainers including the Cessna 172. Under the Normal Category Limitations the C172 POH states that aerobatic maneuvers, including spins are not approved. Incipient spins are still spins; therefore not approved
You always have to follow the limits certified for the particular aircraft model, the information stated by the ATSB is slightly misleading, spins with a decelerated approach are certified in the DA40F under the following conditions.
The DA40F is certified for intentional spin if OÄM 40-201 is installed.
The following additional Limitations/Conditions apply:
Center of Gravity Range 2,45 – 2,50 m
Maximum fuel loading 2x38 liters (2x10gal)
Canopy Jettison System OÄM 40-203 must be installed
Mt Propeller MT 188R135-4G must be installed
Elevator settings must be according to OÄM 40-201
Long Range Tank must not be installed
Wheel fairings must not be installed
Baggage is not allowed
the aerial photo of the crash site shows a wheel fairing next to the aircraft, so even if that was a DA40F it should not have been spun.
Similar with the C172, they can be spun if certified to do so, the restrictions are listed in the TCDS as to what models are permitted, the limitations such as utility category. Eg the C172 without floats
NO ACROBATIC MANEUVERS EXCEPT THOSE LISTED BELOW: Recommended Recommended Maneuver Entry speed Maneuver Entry Speed
Chandelles Lazy eights Steep turns
105 knots 105 knots 95 knots)
Spins Stalls (except whip stalls)
Slow deceleration Slow deceleration
Altitude loss in stall recovery - 180 feet.
Abrupt use of the controls prohibited above 97 knots
Spin recovery: opposite rudder - forward elevator - neutralize controls. Intentional spins with flaps extended are prohibited. Flight into known icing conditions prohibited. This airplane is certified for the following flight operations as of date of original airworthiness certificate.
Pilots need to refer to the certification basis listed on the certificate of airworthiness, follow that through the Australian type acceptance data sheet, and look to the TCDS that the aircraft is certified to. This process needs to be understood and followed correctly, as the same aircraft model can have more than one Australian type acceptance data sheet, for exam0e,EASA and FAA. The correct data sheet applicable to the aircraft has to be applied.*
Do not assume the flight manual onboard is valid, it would have been valid at the time the aircraft was registered, however often the updates to them are often overlooked as part of the maintenance process.