Which statement accurately describes the steady-state phase of a spin?

Which statement accurately describes the steady-state phase of a spin?

• A. Oscillatory spin like motion, fully deflected turn needle, stalled angle of attack, and airspeed that is accelerating or decelerating towards 120 to 135 KIAS
• B. Increased nose down attitude of ~70° with roll rate increasing upwards to as much as 280° per second
• C. Rotation rates 2-3 secs per turn with altitude loss of 400-500 feet per turn, angle of attack 18+, turn needle deflected in the direction of the turn and airspeed stabilized at 120-135 KIAS
• D. Uncommanded (and often rapid) aircraft motions about any axis, control no longer effective or acting in a normal sense, transient airspeeds, and random turn needle deflection

Answer: (C)

The steady-state phase of a spin is characterized by a consistent and predictable condition that stabilizes after initial aerobatic maneuvers. In this phase, the aircraft experiences a stable rotation around a vertical axis, and specific parameters can be measured consistently. In this context, the correct choice accurately describes the characteristics of the steady-state phase, where the rotation rates are uniform, typically lasting between 2 to 3 seconds for each complete turn. During this phase, the altitude loss is likewise consistent, usually ranging between 400 to 500 feet per turn, indicating a predictable vertical descent. An angle of attack exceeding 18 degrees reinforces that the aircraft is indeed in a spin, as it indicates a high level of lift being stalled. Moreover, the turn needle's deflection in the direction of the spin demonstrates a clear and recognized rotational motion, and the airspeed stabilizing at around 120-135 KIAS indicates that even in a spin, there is a moment of equilibrium regarding speed, which is crucial for understanding spin dynamics. Altogether, these characteristics reflect a stable and predictable environment while the aircraft is in the steady-state phase of a spin, differentiating it from other phases where motions may be more erratic or uncontrolled.

The steady-state phase of a spin is characterized by a consistent and predictable condition that stabilizes after initial aerobatic maneuvers. In this phase, the aircraft experiences a stable rotation around a vertical axis, and specific parameters can be measured consistently.

In this context, the correct choice accurately describes the characteristics of the steady-state phase, where the rotation rates are uniform, typically lasting between 2 to 3 seconds for each complete turn. During this phase, the altitude loss is likewise consistent, usually ranging between 400 to 500 feet per turn, indicating a predictable vertical descent. An angle of attack exceeding 18 degrees reinforces that the aircraft is indeed in a spin, as it indicates a high level of lift being stalled.

Moreover, the turn needle's deflection in the direction of the spin demonstrates a clear and recognized rotational motion, and the airspeed stabilizing at around 120-135 KIAS indicates that even in a spin, there is a moment of equilibrium regarding speed, which is crucial for understanding spin dynamics.

Altogether, these characteristics reflect a stable and predictable environment while the aircraft is in the steady-state phase of a spin, differentiating it from other phases where motions may be more erratic or uncontrolled.