Greetings:> Can anyone explain why the recommended spin recovery procedure for the
> Decathlon calls for elevator neutral before opposite rudder application?
On a purely theoretical basis, in order for an airplane to spin it must must always be in a stalled condition. By reducing elevator, you lower the AOA (angle of attack) below the critical AOA and "break" the stall. If I understand your question, you're asking why the recommendation is not to apply down elevator. This is probably because the elevator is so powerful that you might then enter an inverted spin (e.g. stalled with the elevator in the down position) if you're not careful.
Hope this helps.
Ben
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