Definition
A spin in which the pilot's control inputs continue to drive or worsen the spin rather than recover from it — typically by holding pro-spin controls (full rudder in the direction of rotation and aft elevator) after the spin has developed. The spin becomes faster, steeper, or more disorienting, and recovery is delayed until correct anti-spin inputs are applied.
Plain English
A spin that the pilot is making worse — usually by keeping the controls in the position that started the spin instead of moving them to stop it.
Context Anchor
Seen in spin training and spin-recovery discussions, especially when explaining why the correct recovery steps must be followed in the proper order.
Derivation
From Latin aggravare, meaning 'to make heavier' or 'to make worse.' Here it describes a spin the pilot is actively making worse rather than recovering from.
Why Pilots Care
Incorrect recovery attempts can turn a recoverable spin into one that is difficult or impossible to stop, increasing the risk of loss of control and impact with the ground.
Grounding Statement
Picture an airplane already rotating downward, then the pilot adds an input that feeds the rotation instead of stopping it.
Intuition Check
Aggravated does not mean the airplane is “angry” or that the pilot is annoyed. Here it means the spin has been made more severe.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor demonstrated how holding full pro-spin rudder leads to an aggravated spin, with the rotation tightening rapidly.
Example Sentence 2
To avoid an aggravated spin, the pilot neutralized the ailerons and applied full opposite rudder as soon as rotation began.