shortstripper: I agree there's a difference in attitude between gliding instruction and power instruction when it comes to spinning. During my time at splasham we used to regularly spin the more experienced studes in the circuit (and see how many loops, etc we could manage from the last winch launch
) but wouldn't dream of carrying that into GA. The handling characteristics are very different, the operating regimes are different and the attitudes of the individuals are very different. Recently someone needed a spin/aeros check in a Bulldog so we put parachutes on and went to 8-9000ft, this allowed me to let them use nearly full out-spin aileron during the supposed recovery before advising them of the error of their ways. If we'd been lower I may have been a little more concerned about their actions
Aeroplanes are capable of spinning, spin entry and recovery should therefore be taught as part of the course; but it must be taught in a safe, realistic and structured way. Not by nervous AFI (sorry, FI(R)) pulling hard back with full rudder, causing a half flick roll entry, and then recovering after a turn or so. It should be taught from a sideslip ('surprising how fast that high wing can drop) or from an over-ruddered turn or from a slow gliding steep turn ... things which a stude could conceivably do.
Who in their right mind is daft enough to approach the stall, pull full aft stick and push full rudder?
Answer: a non-aero FI demonstrating a supposed "accidental" spin entry.
Spinning should be taught, instructors should be comfortable in any attitude (and beer should be free and ...).
HFD