What happens to the wing that drops during a spin entry?

During a spin entry, the wing that drops continues in a stalled condition. This occurs because the aircraft is in an aerodynamic state where one wing is at a higher angle of attack than the other, leading to a stall on the wing that drops. As a result, that wing is unable to generate lift and does not regain its aerodynamic effectiveness. This stalling condition is crucial to understanding the dynamics of a spin, as it is the differential stall between the wings that initiates the spin and maintains its progression.

In a spin, the wing that is rising generally has less angle of attack and may still be generating some lift, while the dropping wing is stalled and unable to counteract the yaw motion. The result is a sustained rotation about the vertical axis, characterized by one wing significantly lacking lift due to the stalled condition. Understanding this behavior is vital for recovery from spins and reinforces the importance of maintaining controlled flight and avoiding excessive angles of attack.