Differences Between a Spin or a Spiral

It is important to understand whether an aircraft you are flying is entering a spin or a spiral, as making the wrong move at the wrong time to attempt to correct yourself could end in disaster. Spins and spirals are some of the behaviors that planes and other flying craft including paragliders could display if they become out of control. If you're going up in the air, knowing what to do should either happen could be a matter of life or death.

  1. Spin

    • A spin occurs in an aircraft if it stalls, or it can occur while using a paraglider if you apply too much brake. Airborne devices remain in flight because of the relationship between the angle of attack --- which refers to the way the craft is angled into the wind --- and the airspeed. Should the airspeed slow under a certain point, the craft can stall. A spin is the usual result of a stall from which a pilot has not recovered and it causes the plane to fall in a spiraling motion.

    Spiral

    • A spiral occurs when a plane turns too sharply and at too great a speed. It can occur if the plane is set at an angle by turbulence. If the pilot does not notice and correct this, the plane will attempt to right itself by dipping. However, this only achieves an increase in bank angle --- the angle at which the plane is turning; increase the speed and see the nose dip further. The plane will spiral downwards in tight circular motions. One of the differences between a spiral and a spin is that in a spiral, the plane's airspeed will increase. In a spin, indicators in the cockpit will normally show a very low airspeed.

    Recognising a Spin or a Spiral

    • Because the method of recovery is different depending on whether you are in a spin or a spiral, it is essential that you can recognize which one you are in. In a stall, a pilot will have less control over an aircraft; vibrations, pitching and buffeting are felt; those in a fixed-pitch propeller aircraft will see a decrease in revolutions per minute; and those whose planes are fitted with stall indicator will see this come on.

      You can feel the beginning of a spiral because you will be hit by the G force, which is a physical force you will feel against your body. Paragliders can fall unconscious in a spiral due to this force. The sound of the wind may also increase in a spiral.

    Recovering From a Spin or Spiral

    • The method of a recovery from a spin is to decrease the pitch altitude, apply the full opposite rudder to the rotation of the aircraft until it ceases to spin when the rudder should be neutralized. This may lead pilots to go into a spiral dive, which should be recovered by turning the aircraft the opposite way from which it is banking. Righting the plane so that it is no longer in a turn and the wings are pitched is the only way to stop a spiral dive. A pilot's first reaction may be to pull up, as he sees the ground spiral towards him, but this will make the spiral dive worse and could be fatal.

      If you're in a paraglider. You can stop a spin by ceasing to apply the brakes. you can stop a spiral by applying the opposite brake to the way you are turning in order to turn the craft the other way. [REF 1, 2, 3]