I've got spinnaphobia, im a complete pansy when it comes to roller-costers, never go near the things. as part of my CPL I had to do spins in a C-152A, I can safely say there is nothing I would rather NOT do in an aircraft, but, they do happen, and if they happen to you you need to know what to do. on the ground I've constantly been told the drill, but wondered 'would I just freeze like a rabbit' etc. Only one way to find out; In the spin the only thing stronger than my fear was the desire to stop the whole situation. close thottle, check stick neutral & forward, anti-spin rudder, recover from dive. first one was a massive shock, the rest just bl**dy scary, best way I could descibe it is like a dog trying to chase its tail whist falling from a block of flats. I heard that standing on the 'stiff' rudder works, and it does in the C-152, with the rudder deflected by the airflow, the resistance tells you which wan to push (against it). would JF or other experienced aviators care comment on this technique.
I did them, I hate them, at least I can recover. everyone should give them a go, for their own sake, you may even like them (I can't for the life of me see why).
at the end of the day its mind over matter; your instructor dosn't mind so it don't matter
As for stalls, best advice is
NEVER use alerons, things of the devil as far as the stalls converned, Rudder is the only control to keep the wings lever(and very good it is too) keep the ball in the middle and alerons central and its hard to go wrong. the idea of stall awarness is that you are aware of it and can cope, practice is the only way, and with an instructor and height, its a safe way too.
[This message has been edited by little red train (edited 22 June 2001).]