Extreme Upset Recovery Training

[WardHolbrook]

I just got back from CP Aviation in Santa Paula California. I finished up my EMT (Extreme Maneuvers Training) recurrent training this afternoon. A little over 3 hours of severe upset training including spins and all sorts of weird, wild and extreme maneuvers. It was some of the wildest flying I've done in quite a while. Actually it's been since I did the same type of training back in Columbus Ohio about 20 years ago. It was nice to get current in taildraggers again. We trained in two different aircraft so now I'm current in both the Citabria and Decathlon. It's been a while, but it really was just like riding a bike. Oh well, you guys really ought to check out this type of training. All of the pilots in our flight department have been through the course now and, to a man, they are glad they did. It's a great confidence builder if/when you ever have a serious wake turbulence encounter.

[The-sky-captain]

Would love to give it a try

[bd32322]

I did aerobatics and upsets in a decathlon too. But there is another school here in massachusetts (Plymouth, KPYM) where they teach you upsets using more "normal" aircraft. The handling qualities of these aircraft in upset situations are supposed to be vastly different from aerobatic aircraft.

I believe they use Zlin and Siai Marchetti aircraft. Cessna's skycatcher test pilot apparently went there to get recurrent training.

http://www.flightlab.net/Flightlab.net/Home.html

I plan on going there some day

[WardHolbrook]

I did aerobatics and upsets in a decathlon too. But there is another school here in massachusetts (Plymouth, KPYM) where they teach you upsets using more "normal" aircraft. The handling qualities of these aircraft in upset situations are supposed to be vastly different from aerobatic aircraft.

I believe they use Zlin and Siai Marchetti aircraft. Cessna's skycatcher test pilot apparently went there to get recurrent training.

http://www.flightlab.net/Flightlab.net/Home.html

I plan on going there some day

I hear you. I'm telling you that the Decathlon and Citabria have pretty much nothing in common with the Falcon 900s that I fly for a living - other than they both move though the air, albeit at significantly different airspeeds. That being said, there is plenty in the training that transfers directly in the event of an extreme upset and the proper recovery and the training is very valuable regardless of what you're flying.  Besides, you can't legally take "normal" aircraft into the extreme attitudes that are required for proper EMT training. 

[bd32322]

I hear you. I'm telling you that the Decathlon and Citabria have pretty much nothing in common with the Falcon 900s that I fly for a living - other than they both move though the air, albeit at significantly different airspeeds. That being said, there is plenty in the training that transfers directly in the event of an extreme upset and the proper recovery and the training is very valuable regardless of what you're flying. 

Yeah agreed .. The outfit trains lear pilots too and the instructor thinks the skills from the piston engined aircraft are still directly transferable.

On a different note, looks like they have the airwolf for sale! I have always wanted a relatively cheap bubble canopy tandm seat aerobatic aircraft

http://www.flightlab.net/Flightlab.net/Air_Wolf_photo,_specs.html

[Jeff_S]

So, did any of you get wildly sick during this training? I tried a 2-day aerobatics course a few years ago and I blew chow after one aileron roll and one loop.  Wasn't my funnest moment to be sure.

[M016576]

I hear you. I'm telling you that the Decathlon and Citabria have pretty much nothing in common with the Falcon 900s that I fly for a living - other than they both move though the air, albeit at significantly different airspeeds. That being said, there is plenty in the training that transfers directly in the event of an extreme upset and the proper recovery and the training is very valuable regardless of what you're flying. Besides, you can't legally take "normal" aircraft into the extreme attitudes that are required for proper EMT training.

A jet spins much more violently than a super D, or a Citabria. At least that's what I remember from my spin training in the T-2C, vs the T-34C (the T-34C actually was very fun to spin and recover... The T-2... Not so much).

You're right though- ultimately all aircraft have a similar sort of recovery process-

Neutralize the controls, being the throttle back, apply rudder full opposite the Yaw/Roll. Count down the clock (hopefully it doesn't hit zero!)

Of course, some aircraft are different... But that's the gist of it for most.

DISCLAIMER- dont go out and spin your aircraft, then attempt to use my post here as your sole method of getting out of it! This post is for entertainment value only!

[bd32322]

So, did any of you get wildly sick during this training? I tried a 2-day aerobatics course a few years ago and I blew chow after one aileron roll and one loop. Wasn't my funnest moment to be sure.

Was starting to get sick towards the end of the first flight. Told the instructor so .. flew level and returned home without hurling anything. Did not get sick after that on all the flights.

Dont assume you will either get sick or not get sick. Its a matter of practise. The stomach seems to get more sick when the mind is terrified. Once its a matter of routine its no biggie.

Anecdotal evidence suggests drinking cola without the carbonation, chewing on ginger, light meals/snacks before the flight helps. Dont go on an empty stomach or after a buffet. I personally cannot sign off on these methods since I havent tried them.

[WardHolbrook]

As far as getting sick goes, I wasn't too bothered by it. I just felt a momentary "twinge" on the first day and another on on the 3rd day. Things settled out pretty quickly though and the training periods are quite short 30 to 45 minutes depending upon how you do. Don't let that stop you though, it doesn't matter what you're flying, most of us are flying stuff that could come out on the losing end of a serious wake turbulence encounter. Additionally, all of us are flying aircraft that can be spun. By the time I was finished, I could recover from an incipient spin within 1/4 turn and only losing 150 feet in the process. It is very valuable training that is readily available and you should take advantage of it.

[bd32322]

Safety aside .. its fun to fly an aerobatic aircraft with its better than normal visibility and maneuverability.