Definition
An aggravated stall in which the airplane descends in a corkscrew path, with one wing more deeply stalled than the other, producing simultaneous rotation about the vertical axis (yaw) and a steep nose-down attitude. The airplane is stalled, rotating, and descending at the same time.
Plain English
A spin happens when the wing stops flying and the airplane drops while rotating tightly around its own vertical axis, like a falling leaf that is also spinning. The airplane is not just turning steeply — it has lost lift and is auto-rotating downward.
Context Anchor
Seen in upset recovery, stall training, and discussions of loss of control after a stall.
Derivation
Spin comes from an old word meaning to turn or twist. That everyday idea helps here because an airplane in a spin is twisting downward through the air, not simply flying around a normal turn.
Why Pilots Care
An unrecovered spin leads to rapid altitude loss and can result in loss of control; proper recovery technique is required for safety.
Intuition Check
Do not assume a spin means any airplane turn or spiral path. In aviation, a spin requires a stalled airplane that is also rotating.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor demonstrated how uncoordinated rudder use during a stall could cause the airplane to enter a spin.
Example Sentence 2
The handbook warns that low-altitude spins during maneuvering often leave insufficient height for recovery.