Harvard spins - NATA Skylines

[Hvd2Pilot]

I just received my October issue of NATA Skylines and devoured it (great magazine NATA, worth much more than my $50 membership, BTW). A very interesting article, Going For A Spin (reprinted from NYALA No.1, 1009) about spinning a Harvard.

I am a low time pilot with only a couple hundred hours on the Harvard, with only a couple hundred more on top of that, and I am always persuing lessons learned on this airframe by other, more experienced, pilots. Although I don't regularly go out to spin the airplane, I did have to spin it for a flight test I had last year. I had no idea about the stick "lock" when entering the spin from a steep turn. I recall requiring it taking a noticable amount of strength to hold the stick from "snatch[ing] into the spin" and associated it with the buffetting of the wings.

In the US, the airframe must be placarded that intentional spins are prohimited. Why is that?

Stoney, if you read this, thanks to you and your team for an outstanding magazine.

Drew

[Stoney]

Drew
Thanks for the kind words, we try to give a 1000% for the members in the magazine. Plus our two NATA/FAST clinics each year.

www.NorthAmericanTrainer.org

[T-6G Pilot]

Ditto! I always look forward to my issue of NATA. Great work guys!

[warbirdcrew]

Back in the good ol' days of the Western Warbirds, one of the ex-RCAF guys used to open every show with a 6-turn spin in his Harvard IV.

But then again, just because you can... doesn't mean you should.

[Lynn Allen]

Drew
Thanks for the kind words, we try to give a 1000% for the members in the magazine. Plus our two NATA/FAST clinics each year.

www.NorthAmericanTrainer.org

I just put my application in the mail.....

Lynn

[Dudley Henriques]

Back in the good ol' days of the Western Warbirds, one of the ex-RCAF guys used to open every show with a 6-turn spin in his Harvard IV.

But then again, just because you can... doesn't mean you should.

Just some random T6 display thoughts here; Nothing earth shattering; just added for interest factor if any

Opinion on spins in T6 displays will vary naturally, but generally speaking, spins are best used in a T6 display as you have noted this pilot used them, as an opening maneuver ONLY and NOT during a display routine mid point.
The reasons for this are two but the two are closely related.
Spins performed in the 6 opening a display sequence are an option and can be an effective opener but the problem with using a spin is that it bleeds maneuver sequencing energy and can easily result in an exit energy state that falls short of what's needed to smoothly transition into the next maneuver in the sequence.
It's a judgment call really.
Generally speaking, for displaying a T6, or any vintage war bird, you want a display that is planned carefully around good solid and smooth energy management resulting in maneuvers sequenced in an order that offers an energy gain maneuver between any energy loss maneuver balancing out the routine in a manner that avoids high losses to drag and g.
A good display routine, especially in an aircraft like a T6 where T/W isn't all that spectacular to say the least, should be formatted around smooth continuous maneuver sequencing and repositioning turns that keep the airplane in the positive Ps range as much as possible all through the display.