flat spin
Good point, IAN G, about center of rotation. But, as you know, its real tough to get into a flat spin... which requires deliberately held full back stick (as AF# 447) AND out-spin aileron, i.e. a crew trying to stop the spin with ailerons (toward the high wing) instead of rudder. Anyone who has ANY unusual attitude/spin training KNOWS this is wrong. Dead wrong. From the French BEA report, AF # 447 wasn't in a spin, but a long (4 minute...) falling leaf configuration... in and out of stall, with wings alternately rising and falling as the nose remained close to, or above, critical AOA.