commercial pilot; steep spiral dive

[FlyBoyJae]

i am having a hard time with this manuever. my instructor isn't really sure how to do this either. he keeps saying that this wasn't included during his check ride.

what is the airspeed to maintain?

how is it possible to keep the reference point at a constant distance when the bank is 50degrees or more? i found it VERY hard to keep constant distance from my reference point.

any other technique or tips on this manuever?

[Cruise]

Are you flying a cessna?
If so, use the step on the wing spar or the tire as your aiming point for the "point" on the ground. Maintain around 95 Kts w/ the power at idle. By doing this, you should have the ground point almost below you when you're in the steep bank. Because of the steep bank angle, you will not be able to have the ground point at a distance.......at least that's the way it's worked for me, and my students.
Others may have a different opinion.

[kellwolf]

I always pick a point about the tire (as mentioned above) and keep it at best glide speed. If you're in an Arrow, you might have to dip the wing first to find a point. If your point is too far out, you won't be able to get three turns before you have to recover the maneuver unless you start at about 6000-7000 ft.

It's basically turns around a point at idle. You kinda have to fool around with the point to get a feel of where it should be in relation to the aircraft. Too far out, and you won't get the turns. Too close, and you'll have to bank 90 degrees to keep from getting blown over the point.

[MidlifeFlyer]

[ QUOTE ]
It's basically turns around a point at idle.

[/ QUOTE ]Yup. Pretty much.

Jae, since your CFI is unfamiliar with the maneuver (understandable - it's one eof those that left the Commercial PTS some years ago but recently came back), I'd suggest you both read up on it in the FAA's Airplane Flying Handbook.

Good-sized download, but it is free on the FAA web site.

http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/airplane_handbook/

[Grabo172]

I'd be one of those instructors that came through when it wasn't in the PTS anymore.

My instructor at the time showed a few to me and I did a couple, but never REALLY practiced them. If I ever get a commercial student, I'll have to learn them too .

I also came through when Power off 180s were'nt in there. I DO practice those all the time and are pretty good at them...

What else have the added back in since 1999, that I don't know about? I think those are the only 2? Hmmmm?

[LostComm]

It's a fairly easy manuever, just remember to enter downwind. Entering any other way is an automatic failure on the manuever with the DEs around DC.

-LC

[moxiepilot]

i would gently remind your instructor that it is their responsibility to teach you and not waste your money if they do not know how to do a maneuver.

Ask him/her to be taught by the chief at your school or something like that and get back to you when they have done it enough to teach it again.

It is not fair to you, and the instructor should not have put you in this position to begin with.

Other than that the flying handbook lays it out pretty straightforward - turns around a point in a descent...

good luck

[MikeD]

Same as the SFO (flameout approach) maneuver.

[mtsu_av8er]

[ QUOTE ]

Ask him/her to be taught by the chief at your school or something like that and get back to you when they have done it enough to teach it again.

[/ QUOTE ]

He shouldn't have to be taught by The Chief - are there any other instructors at the flight school?