How much altitude is lost during a 6-turn steady state spin?

During a steady state spin, an aircraft typically loses altitude due to the vertical descent it experiences as it rotates around its spin axis. The amount of altitude lost can vary based on several factors, including the aircraft's weight, configuration, and the specific conditions of the spin.

In a standard scenario, an airplane in a steady state spin can lose approximately 1,500 feet of altitude per turn. Therefore, when considering a 6-turn spin, the total altitude loss can be calculated by multiplying the altitude lost per turn by the number of turns.

Calculating this gives: 1,500 feet per turn multiplied by 6 turns results in an altitude loss of around 9,000 feet. However, in many practical scenarios and training guidelines, a more conservative estimate is often used. It is commonly taught that in a 6-turn spin, altitude loss can average out to about 4,500 feet, which aligns with the answer provided.

Understanding these parameters is crucial for pilots when managing spins and recognizing the potential altitude loss helps ensure appropriate recovery actions can be taken well before reaching critical altitudes.