UPSET PREVENTION & RECOVERY TRAINING

Be ready when the airplane does something you didn’t expect.

Develop the knowledge, awareness and hands-on aircraft-control skills to recognize an approaching loss of control, prevent the upset when possible, and recover correctly when prevention is no longer an option.

Start Your UPRT Training View the UPRT Syllabus
Real-airplane training Learn through actual aircraft response, sight, sound, feel and G-load.
Academics + flight Understand why upsets happen — then practice prevention and recovery.
Cameron Park, California Advanced flight training at Foothill Flight Center.
WHY UPRT MATTERS

Loss of control remains one of the most serious risks in general aviation.

Upset Prevention and Recovery Training addresses the problem before and after the upset: prevention first, early recognition, and effective recovery when required.

The goal is not simply to memorize a recovery procedure. It is to build a better understanding of angle of attack, energy, coordination and aircraft response so you can recognize a developing problem sooner and make disciplined control inputs when it matters.

01 — PREVENT

Recognize the setup

Improve awareness of angle of attack, energy state, coordination, environmental factors and pilot actions that can develop into an upset.

02 — RECOGNIZE

Respond before surprise takes over

Experience unusual attitudes and changing aircraft cues in a controlled training environment so the situation is no longer completely unfamiliar.

03 — RECOVER

Use the right control inputs

Practice reducing angle of attack, managing roll and yaw, controlling energy, and returning the airplane to controlled flight without compounding the upset.

THE PROGRAM

Train beyond the normal flight envelope.

Our program combines focused academics with in-airplane training. Each lesson is built around understanding what is happening aerodynamically, recognizing the cues, making the correct control inputs, and reviewing the result.

Download the Syllabus
Upset aerodynamicsAngle of attack, load factor, stalls, spins, stability, control and energy.
Human factorsStartle, surprise, fixation and the importance of trained responses.
High angle-of-attack flightBuild awareness and control near the aerodynamic limits of the airplane.
Unusual attitudesRecognize developing upsets and practice appropriate recovery priorities.
Stall & spin awarenessExplore the relationship between angle of attack, coordination and loss of control.
Energy managementManage airspeed, altitude and G-loading throughout recovery.
Recovery techniqueApply disciplined control inputs instead of instinctive or excessive reactions.
Brief • fly • debriefTurn each maneuver into usable knowledge and repeatable skill.
PURPOSE-BUILT TRAINING AIRCRAFT

Learn in airplanes that let you safely explore aircraft control.

Foothill Flight Center operates aerobatic tailwheel aircraft used for upset prevention and recovery, spin training and aerobatics.

Bellanca Citabria 7ECA

A two-seat aerobatic tailwheel airplane used by Foothill Flight Center for UPRT, spin training, aerobatics and tailwheel training.

See aircraft details →

Bellanca Decathlon 8KCAB

A two-seat aerobatic tailwheel airplane that expands the training envelope and is also used for UPRT, spin training and aerobatics.

See aircraft details →
WHO SHOULD TRAIN?

UPRT is useful long before you think you’ll need it.

The program is appropriate for pilots who want more than minimum-checkride proficiency and want to strengthen their ability to manage unexpected aircraft states.

Private pilots

Build confidence, coordination and aircraft-control skill beyond routine normal-category flying.

Instrument pilots

Improve recovery discipline when visual cues are limited or an unexpected attitude develops.

Commercial pilots

Develop a broader understanding of the airplane’s energy, limits and recovery priorities.

Flight instructors

Strengthen stall, spin, upset-recognition and recovery proficiency for safer instruction.

BECOME A BETTER PREPARED PILOT

You can’t choose when an upset happens. You can choose how prepared you are.

Tell us about your flying experience and goals. We’ll help customize a training plan for you.

Contact Foothill Flight Center