Which rudder input is correct?

Nov 7, 2026

You've entered a spin. Which rudder input is correct?

ALeft rudder

The memory aid is PARE. Power idle, ailerons neutral, rudder opposite the direction of rotation, elevator briskly forward. Option B is the answer ๐ŸŒ€

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BRight rudder

You got it ๐Ÿ‘

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CRudder opposite the ball

The ball isn't reliable in a spin. The Airplane Flying Handbook cites this on 5-24: "The location of the instrument in the airplane determines how the ball will move rather than the direction of the spin." Use the TC instead. Option B ๐Ÿ”„

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DNeutral rudder

The rudder is the key control input to arrest rotation around the CG. It's full rudder, opposite the direction of rotation -- Option B ๐Ÿฆถ

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Pick an answer. You can try as many as you like.

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The explanation

B. Right rudder

The recovery: PARE

The Airplane Flying Handbook says to always follow the manufacturer's recommended spin recovery procedure. When one isn't available, the handbook gives a general procedure. The memory aid PARE covers it: Power idle, Ailerons neutral, Rudder opposite the direction of rotation, Elevator briskly forward. PARE works for almost all airplanes, but it's worth checking against the POH before flight.

The rudder is the key control input to arrest the rotation. It's full rudder, opposite the direction of rotation, held until the rotation stops.

Which way is it spinning?

The turn coordinator is the most reliable instrument for determining the direction of rotation. In this reel it shows a turn to the left, so the correct input is full right rudder.

Why not the ball?

The ball isn't reliable in a spin. It measures lateral acceleration, and which way it moves depends on where the instrument is mounted. The Airplane Flying Handbook puts it this way: "The location of the instrument in the airplane determines how the ball will move rather than the direction of the spin." The handbook also says the pilot should not use the ball to determine spin direction.

When does the rudder go neutral?

Only after the rotation stops. Neutralizing the rudder is a later step in the recovery. Until the rotation stops, it's full opposite rudder.

References

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