That's true, everything has to be briefed and debriefed by an Instructor before you go and do it. Spins are no longer a requirement for PPL (which I disagree with), but instead, Spiral Dives are the test exercise. A student with a Student Pilot Permit is allowed to practice Steep Turns, Slow Flight, Stalls, and other various exercises like Precautionary Landings and Forced Approaches (not actually landing, unless at an aerodrome of course). This usually comes after some time in the circuit however, which is what he's been asking about. Spiral Dives and Spins are done dual, as well as any Instrument training, for safety reasons.
On a side note, all of these upper airwork exercises should be covered before a student's first solo, lower level stuff is covered after, maybe even before the students first solo cross-country (which is an approved route, usually)
Thank you very much for this literally outstanding explanation. I didn't know that Spins aren't allowed alone, but am happy to know that that's the case! Thanks for the heads up on what I'd be practicing once "cleared into the backyard". He's talked to me for a while now about my boundaries and what I'd be practicing in the "area" after doing a couple hours worth of solo circuits. Something nice to know though, is he said as for the slow flight, stalls(recovering before actually stalling like in the check ride), patterns, steep turns, etc. That I'd pass the PPL check ride for those parts. Luckily he's very proud of me and impressed with my flying skills(I guess I get them from practicing and/or preparing all these years on FSX in the exact plane that I'm flying in currently, that being a C152). Thanks for all the notifications, it's really a great help. Take care and happy flying!
-Jake
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