What is a progressive spin?

A progressive spin occurs when a pilot misapplies the recovery controls during a spin, leading to an amplified spin condition. In a standard spin, once initiated, the aircraft enters a state of uncoordinated flight where the wings are stalled and one wing is more stalled than the other. A progressive spin happens when the pilot's attempts to recover from the spin are improperly timed or executed, resulting in the spin becoming more pronounced and dangerous.

By incorrectly applying control inputs, such as over-using aileron to try and roll the aircraft out of the spin or pulling back excessively on the controls, the pilot can inadvertently increase the rate of rotation or prolong the spin's duration. This highlights the importance of understanding spin recovery techniques and the application of correct control inputs during a spin situation to ensure safe recovery and prevention of further spin progression.