FAA Ground School Practice Test

What condition must an aircraft be in to enter a spin?

1. In straight-and-level flight

2. During a climb

3. Stalled

4. In a descent

The correct answer is: Stalled

For an aircraft to enter a spin, it must be in a stalled condition. When an aircraft is stalled, the wings are unable to generate sufficient lift due to exceeding the critical angle of attack. This reduced lift causes a loss of control and, depending on how the aircraft is configured and how the controls are being managed, can lead to one wing experiencing a significantly higher angle of attack than the other. When one wing stalls while the other remains flying, the aircraft can start to rotate around its vertical axis, resulting in a spin. The uncoordinated aerodynamic forces acting on the aircraft during a stall can produce this rotation. It is essential for pilots to recognize that a spin typically begins from a stalled attitude and proper recovery techniques include addressing the stall and the associated uncoordinated flight. In contrast, conditions like straight-and-level flight or during a climb do not predispose an aircraft to spin. A spin generally cannot commence unless there is a stall first; therefore, understanding the relationship between stalls and spins is critical for safe flight operations.