Definition
The downward, spiraling flightpath traced by an airplane during a spin, in which the aircraft simultaneously rotates about its vertical axis and descends along a tight helical track around an imaginary vertical line.
Plain English
The twisting, downward spiral an airplane follows when it is in a spin -- rotating around itself while falling in a tight, screw-shaped path toward the ground.
Context Anchor
Used in spin awareness to describe the path an airplane may follow after a stall develops into a spin.
Derivation
From 'corkscrew,' the spiral metal tool used to pull corks from bottles. The shape of that tool -- a tight, descending spiral around a central axis -- closely matches the path an airplane traces during a spin, which is why the term was borrowed.
Why Pilots Care
Identifying the corkscrew path confirms a spin is occurring, requiring immediate application of spin recovery procedures to prevent loss of control.
Analogy
Picture a corkscrew being turned down into a cork: it rotates and descends at the same time, carving a tight spiral. The spinning airplane traces a similar path through the air.
Grounding Statement
Picture the airplane rotating as it drops, tracing a spiral downward line through the sky.
Intuition Check
A corkscrew path is not just a steep turn. In this context, it means the airplane is stalled, rotating, and descending in a spin-like motion.
Example Sentence 1
As the spin developed, the airplane settled into a steady corkscrew path toward the ground.
Example Sentence 2
Recognizing the corkscrew path early allows the pilot to initiate recovery before excessive altitude is lost.