Which sequence correctly recovers from a spiraling nose-low, increasing airspeed, unusual flight attitude?

Which sequence correctly recovers from a spiraling nose-low, increasing airspeed, unusual flight attitude?

• A. Reduce power, raise the nose to level attitude, and correct the bank attitude.
• B. Reduce power, correct the bank attitude, and raise the nose to a level attitude.
• C. Increase pitch attitude, reduce power, and level wings.
• D. Increase power, bank toward the horizon, and lower the nose.

Answer: (B)

The situation tests how to recover from an unusual attitude where you’re in a spiraling nose-low dive with increasing airspeed. The correct recovery starts by reducing energy, then stopping the turn, and finally returning to level flight. Reducing power is the first step because it lowers the energy driving the descent and helps control airspeed without adding more energy to the system. After the power is reduced, you neutralize the bank by correcting the attitude toward wings level. This stops the spiraling turn and stabilizes the airplane. Only once the wings are level should you gently raise the nose to a level attitude, reestablishing straight-and-level flight. If you raise the nose before neutralizing the bank, the airplane can stay in the turn and keep accelerating, making recovery harder. Increasing power would add energy to an already accelerating situation, and attempting to level the wings without addressing the bank won’t stop the turning motion.

The situation tests how to recover from an unusual attitude where you’re in a spiraling nose-low dive with increasing airspeed. The correct recovery starts by reducing energy, then stopping the turn, and finally returning to level flight. Reducing power is the first step because it lowers the energy driving the descent and helps control airspeed without adding more energy to the system. After the power is reduced, you neutralize the bank by correcting the attitude toward wings level. This stops the spiraling turn and stabilizes the airplane. Only once the wings are level should you gently raise the nose to a level attitude, reestablishing straight-and-level flight.

If you raise the nose before neutralizing the bank, the airplane can stay in the turn and keep accelerating, making recovery harder. Increasing power would add energy to an already accelerating situation, and attempting to level the wings without addressing the bank won’t stop the turning motion.