From aus here as well.
Currently completing airline cadetship.
We do unusual attitude recovery, and also aerobatics endos for a few manouevres (forgive me if spelt incorrectly, never get this word right).
DOES help with aircraft handling ability.
CAN save your life one day.
A lot of incidents these days involve the pilot either:
- Being unaware of the aircraft energy state/attitude
- Being aware of this, but failing to regain control
- Using the wrong techniques to regain aircraft control
All you have to do is look at the relatively recent Egyptian 737 i think it was, that hit the water shortly after take-off due to a number of factors - including the inability to recover from the aircraft upset.
NIN
edit: oh, and it was in a Citabria - ripper little aircraft!! about 700kgs with 180hp i think.