overcompensating on the bank angle to correct resulting in a spin.
As I am sure everyone was told as part of training, if you've misjudged your turn to final you're better off overshooting the extended centreline and returning to it - don't tighten that turn!
If you're in a spin, you are pretty much
unless you know the recovery techniques...
Sure, but you could say the same about a stall. Knowing the recovery technique is not difficult. On most (if not all) trainers - and probably also most 'normal' CofA aircraft the average GA flyer will pilot, the recovery techniques will be very similar. As a gross simplification, just letting go of the stick/yoke will in most cases improve the situation straight away to something you may feel less uncomfortable with. Tapping the rudder in the opposite direction should also be part of a natural response and will not do any harm.
Of course, each aircraft has their own peculiarities and there are optimal methods for the timing, order and magnitude of the inputs - especially if you are in a developed spin. But the reaction to a spin
entry should be fairly easy and come natural to most pilots with a feeling for the aircraft.
Having said that, doing some training on recognising and recovering from incipient spins is well worth it. Probably more so than aeros, which is a different sport altogether and where you choose to fly manoeuvres which you should never attempt in your normal aircraft - and where the techniques you apply may also not be the optimal for recovery in your touring aircraft. (E.g. aeros do not, IMHO, replace awareness/avoidance training on your regular aircraft).
By all means, have large doses of healthy respect for stall/spins, but fear of them should not stop you from flying normally
