Definition
The standardized sequence of pilot actions used to recognize, prevent, and recover from a spin in an airplane. A common recovery sequence, often taught with the memory aid PARE, is: reduce Power to idle, neutralize Ailerons, apply full opposite Rudder against the direction of rotation, then briskly move the Elevator forward to break the stall. Once rotation stops, the rudder is neutralized and the airplane is recovered from the resulting dive. Specific spin procedures vary by aircraft, and the manufacturer's approved procedure in the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) or Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) takes precedence over any generic technique.
Plain English
The set of steps a pilot uses to stop an airplane that is stalled and rotating, and get it flying normally again. The order matters: cut power, level the wings with neutral aileron, push the rudder the opposite way the airplane is spinning, then push the control yoke forward to unstall the wings.
Context Anchor
Seen in flight training and FAA handbook material about stall awareness, intentional spin training, and emergency recovery from an unexpected spin.
Derivation
Spin comes from an old word meaning to turn or whirl. Procedure comes from Latin roots meaning to go forward step by step. Together, the phrase points to a step-by-step way of handling an airplane that is rotating in a spin.
Why Pilots Care
Using the correct spin procedures is essential to prevent loss-of-control accidents and meets FAA requirements for pilot certification.
Grounding Statement
Picture the airplane nose-low and rotating; spin procedures are the exact steps used to stop the rotation first, then bring the airplane back to normal flight.
Intuition Check
A spin is not just any turn, dive, or spiral. In aviation, a spin means the airplane is stalled and rotating, so the recovery steps are specific and must not be guessed.
Example Sentence 1
During his CFI training, he practiced spin procedures in an approved aircraft until the PARE sequence became automatic.
Example Sentence 2
Following the published spin procedures allowed the pilot to recover the airplane with minimal altitude loss.