Upset Recovery Training

What is aircraft upset? Aircraft upset is a dangerous condition in aircraft operations, which may result in the loss of control (LOC) of the aircraft.

Loss of control may be due to turbulent weather, pilot disorientation, or a system failure. Most aircraft upset incidents in light aircraft result from cockpit distraction, for example, retrieving a map or pencil from the floor of the aircraft. From the FAA’s Pilot Guide to Airplane Upset Recovery, an airplane upset is defined as an airplane in flight unintentionally exceeding the parameters normally experienced in line operations or training. In other words, the airplane is not doing what it was commanded to do and is approaching unsafe parameters. While specific values may vary among airplane models, the following unintentional conditions generally describe an airplane upset:

• Pitch attitude greater than 25 degrees, nose up.
• Pitch attitude greater than 10 degrees, nose down.
• Bank angle greater than 45 degrees.
• Within the above parameters, but flying at airspeeds inappropriate for the conditions.

Recovery to a stable flight path should be initiated as soon as a developing upset condition is recognized. This preventive action may alleviate what might otherwise develop into a very serious event. Check out these great videos on upset and recovery flight training:

• Airplane Upset Recovery, Part 1
• Airplane Upset Recovery, Part 2

About Aspen Flying Club’s upset recovery flight training

Aspen’s Aircraft Upset Recovery program is designed to develop a pilot’s sensitivity to cockpit distraction, and give them the skills to cope with any eventuality. This course will teach pilots how to effectively recognize departure from controlled flight, as well as, upset scenarios and methods to properly and safely recover from these conditions. This training will take pilots to an advanced stage of learning. Upset recovery training teaches potentially lifesaving techniques under actual in-flight conditions, simulating common situations where the majority of aircraft accidents and fatalities occur. In this course, pilots will also learn to differentiate between spins and spiral dives, and nose high and nose low situations. Each pilot is taught in an aerobatic aircraft, ideal for demonstrating how to recover from a botched maneuver, never pulling though, but instead always rolling over upright. The upset recovery training consists of 5 hours of training and incorporates spin training and an introduction to aerobatics. The course covers:

• Steep Turns
• Dives
• Slow flight on the stall buffet
• Rudder use – Dutch rolls
• Falling leafs
• Spins left and right, and multiple turns
• Recovery from unusual attitudes with minimal altitude loss

How much will it cost?