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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/pilot-spin-stall-plus-yaw

Besides a stalled wing, what else must act on an airplane for a spin to start?

Yaw or sideslip at or beyond the stall.

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  1. Yaw or sideslip ✔
  2. High airspeed
  3. Flaps fully extended

Why: A spin needs a stall plus yaw. The yaw can come from wrong rudder use, adverse yaw from aileron, P-factor and other engine effects, or wind shear. Keeping the nose from yawing at the stall prevents most spins.

Huh, didn't know that: A stall in a slipping or skidding turn can spin the airplane in the direction of rudder, no matter which wing is up.

The dad joke
Why did the airplane spin? Somebody gave it a little yaw-ful nudge.
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References

Answer: Yaw or sideslip. A spin needs a stall plus yaw. The yaw can come from wrong rudder use, adverse yaw from aileron, P-factor and other engine effects, or wind shear. Keeping the nose from yawing at the stall prevents most spins.

  1. Airplane Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-3C, Chapter 5 Maintaining Aircraft Control www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/airplane_handbook/06_afh_ch5.pdf
    at least one of the airplane’s wings exceed the critical AOA (stall) with a sideslip or yaw acting on the airplane
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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