WGW: Why with rudder? If you are close to VNE (as you may be in a spiral dive), then I suggest you are far more likely to overstress the airframe with a bootful of rudder than you are with judicious use of ailerons. Are you sure you're not confusing spiral dive with spin recovery?. .. .Back to the original question: Have confidence in your ability to do the things you have been trained to do. You would not be put up for the skills test if they did not think you were ready for it. It SHOULD just be a rubber-stamping exercise rather than an exam. If you are relying on squeaking through on a good day then you are not ready for it. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />