Definition
A design characteristic of certain airplanes that makes it very difficult to enter a fully developed spin, even when the pilot applies typical pro-spin control inputs at the stall. Spin-resistant airplanes are certificated under specific FAA standards (such as FAR Part 23, Appendix A) that demonstrate the airplane will resist departing into a spin under defined test conditions. Spin resistant does not mean spin proof.
Plain English
An airplane built so that it strongly resists falling into a spin, even if the pilot stalls it and uses controls that would normally cause one. It is much harder to spin -- but not impossible.
Context Anchor
Seen in stall and spin discussions, especially when comparing airplane designs and training limits in the Airplane Flying Handbook or the aircraft’s operating handbook.
Derivation
Spin comes from an old word meaning to turn or whirl. Resistant comes from Latin roots meaning to stand against. Together, the phrase means the airplane tends to stand against entering or continuing a spinning motion, not that spinning is impossible.
Why Pilots Care
Spin-resistant designs lower the risk of inadvertent spins, a leading cause of training accidents, by making recovery more automatic or entry harder.
Grounding Statement
Spin resistant means the airplane gives you more help avoiding a spin, but it does not remove the need to fly it correctly.
Intuition Check
Do not read resistant as impossible. Spin resistant means harder to spin, not unable to spin.
Example Sentence 1
The Cirrus SR22 is certified as spin resistant, but the manufacturer still requires pilots to use the airframe parachute rather than attempt spin recovery.
Example Sentence 2
Before buying the light sport aircraft, the pilot confirmed it met spin-resistant certification standards to reduce training risk.