Aerobatic flight training begins with a trial lesson in order to determine whether or not you’re going to enjoy pulling Gs when flying all kinds of unusual maneuvers. It’s an adrenalin kick and great fun, though not all pilots seek it out.
Aerobatic training isn’t for everyone and some pilots prefer to fly without ever experiencing inverted flight or a flick roll. For some, steep turns are as close to aerobatics as they’ll ever come but for others who relish the thrill then there are plenty of opportunities for those who enjoy all the thrills of aerobatics. Using your pilot licence to enjoy an aerobatic experience might be a one-off or the start of another adventure.
So, if you have ever wondered what it would be like to take a piston or perhaps even a jet aircraft and perform a series of acrobatic maneuvers, then aerobatic training might be the perfect opportunity for you. If you’re a private pilot you may want to continue the training to achieve an aerobatic rating.
The author has a little experience in aerobatic flight training in several aircraft types and urges you to at least try some aerobatics even if it doesn’t become part of your regular flying activities. Aerobatic flight training has many things to teach pilots, not only about the aircraft’s handling and limits but also about themselves and their own limits.
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Aerobatic Flight Training Near Me
While there may be several airfields within a short drive of your home perhaps only a few, if any, offer aerobatic flight training. So be prepared to travel a little further to find a suitable school.
When choosing a training establishment it’s essential that you carry out some thorough research into the reputation of the school, the instructors, and the aircraft. You should enjoy pushing the envelope without going beyond your limits.
The flight school I chose was Ultimate High who are based at Goodwood Airfield near Chichester, West Sussex (UK). They’ve been operating for over twenty years and have an exemplary safety record. Their instructors are all former military pilots and they combine a professional attitude to safety with an infectious enthusiasm for the enjoyment of flight.
Aerobatic Flight Training UK Locations & Aircraft
There are several places in the UK offering aerobatic flight training and tailored experience flights. The type of aircraft can make a big difference to the experience; high wing or low wing; open cockpit or enclosed; monoplane or biplane; vintage or modern etc.
Think about the type of aerobatics training experience you want and consider the differences in power and performance in each aircraft. Aerobatic flight training in a vintage biplane is a different experience to that of an Extra 300, for example.
The flight time with each experience will vary according to price and aircraft type. As well as time spent doing the aerobatics themselves you’ll need a flight time of at least 30 minutes as this will allow for departure, climb out from the airfield to a suitable location, then return and landing.
- CAP10-C, Bicester, Oxfordshire
- CAP10-C, Cotswold Airport, Gloucestershire
- CAP10-C, Damyns Hall Aerodrome, Upminster, Essex
- Cessna 150 Aerobat , Blackpool Airport, Lancashire
- Cessna 152 Aerobat, Blackbushe Airfield, Surrey
- Cessna 152 Aerobat, Redhill Aerodrome, Surrey
- Cessna 152 Aerobat, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
- Extra 200, Fowlmere Airfield, Royston, Cambridgeshire
- Extra 300, Goodwood Airfield, West Sussex
- Extra 330, White Waltham Airfield, Berkshire
- Pitts Special, Blackpool Airport, Lancashire
- Pitts Special, Staverton Airfield, Gloucestershire
- Pitts Special, White Waltham Airfield, Berkshire
- Robin 2160, Halfpenny Green Airfield, Stourbridge, West Midlands
- Slingsby T67 Firefly, Goodwood Airfield, West Sussex
- Slingsby T67 Firefly, Stapleford Airfield, Essex
- Stampe-Vertongen, Shoreham Airport, East Sussex*
- Super Decathlon, Tatenhill Airfield, Burton-on-Trent, West Midlands
- Super Decathlon, Bodmin Airfield, Cornwall
- Super Decathlon, Thruxton Airfield, Hampshire
- Aerobatic Flight Training Gift Vouchers – Nationwide. Choose your location.
*Note: The Stampe is a 1946 open cockpit biplane. If the thought of high speed flying in the types of powerful aircraft listed above doesn’t appeal to you then how about a much slower Tiger Moth flight experience?
Aerobatic Flight Training Germany
Aerobatic Flight Training US Locations
There’s a handy state by state list of flight schools on the IAC.org website. You’ll find many more schools in the same directory in Canada, Australia, and many countries in Europe including the UK.
Aerobatic Flight Training Requirements
Generally speaking there are two types of people who book aerobatic flight training; pilots or student pilots, or people who have no flying experience and who want to enjoy the thrills even if they never set foot inside a light aircraft again.
Either way, the requirements will vary slightly according to the aircraft type. Lighter aerobatic aircraft may have a weight limit for the student. For example, this might be between 15-16 stone (95-100 kilos). The student/passenger will also need to be in reasonably good health with no underlying health conditions that could be exacerbated by pulling a few extra Gs.
It’s highly likely that the aerobatic flight training school will ask you to sign an insurance indemnity document to absolve them of any culpability should you suffer any short or long term physical effects from your flight. This is standard practice and the onus is on you to ensure that you’re fit enough to fly.
Other than that you don’t actually need to be a pilot of any experience to try some aerobatic flight training. Just keep an open mind and pay attention to the preflight briefing. They will ask you if you have any particular wishes and tailor the experience to suit you.
If you are a private pilot and you do want to learn to fly aerobatics solo, either for your own amusement or perhaps one day in amateur competitions, then of course your trial lesson will be the first of many. You’ll have to approach the aerobatics syllabus just as you would any other additiona rating to your private pilot licence or certificate.
For aerobatic flight training in jet aircraft a g-suit will help protect your body against the effects of excess Gs. You can probably pull about 5 to 6 G without a suit but beyond that it’s likely that your vision will deteriorate and eventually you might pass out. So in fast jets you’ll wear a g-suit to maintain blood pressure to your head.
What happens during aerobatic flight training?
Aerobatic flying requires a broader set of pilot skills and exposes the aircraft to greater structural stress than normal flight. Many aerobatic maneuvers involve rotation of the aircraft about its longitudinal (roll) axis or lateral (pitch) axis. Other maneuvers, such as a spin, displace the aircraft about its vertical (yaw) axis. Maneuvers are often combined to form a complete aerobatic sequence for entertainment or competition.
In an aerobatic aircraft, you can push your and the aircraft’s limits to see just what kind of extreme flying is possible. In the training for performing aerobatics, you can work on many types of maneuvers but most of it begins with comparatively simply routines that include loops, cuban eights, and rolls.
At the same time as getting some true airmanship experience under your belt, you will be able to take those techniques and use them in a routine that is safe but amazing to experience. When you come down from your first aerobatic flight the feeling of accomplishment will be beyond compare. It’s a bit like the feeling you had after completing your first solo.
There are many types of maneuvers that you can perform after learning aerobatics. Some examples of these maneuvers include loops, hammerheads, stall turns, Cuban Eights, spins, and more. It may take some time before you can perform all of these maneuvers, but through training, motivation, and the possible addition of an aerobatic flight instructor; you should be able to do it within a few weeks.
The flight time during aerobatics training will vary according to the exercise, aircraft, and how you feel. It’s meant to be fun so if you feel unwell at any time there is no sense in continuing until you feel better. Your instructor will understand this.
Even if you enjoy aerobatics there can be times when lengthy aerobatics training can lead to slight feelings of nausea. At this point it’s best to return to base for a debrief.
Is aerobatic flight training suitable for me?
While many people think that learning what aerobatics might be a bit unusual, they will most likely change their tune when they watch the maneuvers or try them for themselves. When you can take an aircraft and push it beyond what other people consider possible, then that is wonderful enough in itself.
If you are looking for a way to push yourself and see what kind of extreme conditions you can withstand while enjoying some exceptional flight time, then aerobatic flight training is something that you need to consider. Right from the outset you will be able to perform exciting maneuvers.
So, for those of you that are ready to expand on your pilot licence and move into the next level of flying, becoming an aerobatic pilot is something that will test and stretch your abilities.
Aerobatics as a sport
Aerobatic training enhances a pilot’s ability to recover from unusual flight conditions, and thus is an element of many flight safety training programs for pilots. While many pilots fly aerobatics for recreation, some choose to fly in aerobatic competitions, a refereed sport.
Aerobatics is the practice of flying maneuvers involving either fixed-wing or rotary-wing aircraft. Many aerobatic maneuvers involve rotation of the aircraft about its longitudinal (roll) axis or lateral (pitch) axis. Other maneuvers, such as a spin, displace the aircraft about its vertical (yaw) axis. Maneuvers are often combined to form a complete aerobatic sequence for entertainment or competition.
Aerobatic flying is a recognized sport that include specific safety rules, although the exact details vary from country to country. The term “aerobatics” is also used more broadly to describe any unusually advanced aviation maneuver, including those performed by combat pilots during wartime.
Aerobatic pilots fly in an aircraft designed for the purpose, such as a light aerobatic monoplane or a helicopter. In some countries (e.g., the USA), only aircraft registered in a civilian government registry is allowed to perform aerobatics.
Aerobatic Maneuvers
There are many aircraft types that are capable of aerobatics. Notable examples are the UMX Master and the Sbach 342. The Sukhoi Su-26 is a capable aircraft used by many aerobatic teams worldwide, such as the Red Bull Matadors. The Zivko Edge 540 has also been used in aerobatic competition and for many years was used by the USAF Thunderbirds.
The four aerobatic maneuvers judged in accordance with the rules of the International Aerobatic Club (IAC) are:
- The “Loop” — a complete loop executed without missing the vertical.
- The “Hammerhead Turn”— a vertical turn executed at the top of a loop.
- The “Gainer” — a half-loop followed by a half-roll, with the correct position for vertical entry from the top of the maneuver.
- A spin to inverted flight (the “invert”) executed without hitting the horizontal or going out of control.
A full list of aerobatic maneuvers includes:
- Aileron Rolls
- Barrel Rolls
- Slow Rolls
- Avalanche
- Chandelle
- Competition Turn
- Cuban-Eight
- Eight-Sided Loop
- English Bunt
- Half Cuban Eight
- Hammerhead
- Humpty-Bump
- Immelman
- Inside-Outside Eight
- Lazy-Eight
- Reverse Cuban Eight
- Reverse Half Cuban Eight
- Rolling Turn
- Spin
- Split-S
- Square Loop
- Tailslide
- Wing Over
In the US, the United States Air Force Academy offers an aerobatics course as part of its Intercollegiate Aerobatic Club. The course is mandatory for all cadets who are not pursuing a pilot slot in the USAF, Navy, or Marines by earning their flight credentials early on during their undergraduate programs.
Aerobatic Aircraft
Pitts S-2C
The Pitts S-2C is an aerobatic biplane originally manufactured by the Pitts Special Company. It was first built in 1966, but production continued until 1985 to produce updated variants that are still being used for aerobatics shows even today.
The S-2C is a two-seat aircraft with a steel tube frame. It was designed as a sports plane and its performance and durability have made it popular among aerobatic teams around the world who used them to both train airshow pilots and peform in them.
The S-2C is powered by a Lycoming AEIO-540, 260 HP engine that allows it to climb at 2,900 feet per minute and reach a maximum level speed of 169 kt.
The Pitts S-2C is a highly maneuverable aircraft that has been an iconic part of the world of aerobatic flying for decades, thanks to its durability and easy maneuverability.
Write about the Super Decathlon aerobatic aircraft
The Super Decathlon is an aerobatic aircraft that was designed for flight training and personal use. It is made from a tubular steel frame, which is covered in fabric. The Super Decathlon is powered by a Lycoming O-540 six-cylinder engine, which produces 260 horsepower. It has a top speed of 207 mph and a range of 575 miles.
The first Super Decathlon was manufactured in 1985. Cessna produced 1,100 of these aircraft, and stopped producing them in 2001. Today there are still 350 Super Decathlons flying worldwide.
Zivko Edge 540
The Zivko Edge 540 has been marveled at for its agility and precision in the sky. This plane is one of many aircraft that are specifically designed to allow pilots to be more comfortable while flying, through means such as adjustable seats and footrests. The Zivko Edge 540 was created by an individual who worked with airplane aerodynamics in a wind tunnel for a major aircraft corporation before going out on their own to design and produce planes.
The Zivko Edge 540 is a single-seat airplane that was designed with the idea of being as aerodynamically sound as possible, without compromising the comfort or safety of the pilot. The footrests and seats are adjustable so that pilots can stand up and stretch while flying, without bumping their heads on cockpit components. This feature allows pilots to feel more comfortable throughout flights that last longer than an hour or two.
The Zivko Edge 540 can be recognized by its distinctive red propeller spinner and a large wingspan of 20 feet, the same length as the fuselage itself. The wingspan is a distinctive feature of this plane because it allows for increased lift while flying.
The Zivko Edge 540 was designed to meet the demands of pilots who fly in competitions, such as air races. The design incorporates aerodynamic features that allow pilots to fly at a faster speed and maneuver with ease. The Zivko Edge 540 is a plane that has been the envy of many, due to its sleek design and aerodynamic features.
The North American T-6 Harvard
The North American T-6 Harvard was a single engine advanced trainer aircraft used by the United States Army Air Forces and the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II and the Korean War.
The T-6 is known for being easy to fly and forgiving, which made it a popular trainer aircraft. It can perform slow flight, four point rolls, loops, snap rolls,and a hammerhead turn.
It had four light machine guns, one mounted inside each wing and two on the side of the cockpit. The aircraft could carry around 1,200 pounds of bombs depending on size and type of bomb carried.
During WorldWar II and the Korean War, North American T-6s saw a lot of action.
There are several examples still flying in the UK. There is one at the Goodwood Aero Club at Goodwood Airfield in West Sussex. This particular aircraft was once owned by the pop star, Gary Numan.
The Cessna 150 Aerobat
The Cessna 150 Aerobat is a two-seat, single-engine, high-wing monoplane. It was designed for flight training, as well as personal use.
The aircraft is made from a tubular steel frame, which is covered in fabric. The 150 Aerobat is powered by a Lycoming O-320 four-cylinder engine, which produces 135 horsepower. It has a top speed of 133 mph and a range of 575 miles.
The first 150 Aerobat was manufactured in 1967. Cessna produced 2,300 of these aircraft, and stopped producing them in 1985. Today there are still 1,300 150 Aerobats flying worldwide.
Famous Aerobatic Pilots
Patty Wagstaff
Patty was born in 1952 and grew up on a farm with her family in Minnesota. She dreamed of being a jockey, but eventually realized that she was too tall to be one! She began taking flying lessons at the age of 16 and only a year later did her first air show.
One of the world’s most well known aerobatic pilots is Patty Wagstaff, who has won countless awards and medals for her flying. She frequently performs at air shows around the US and works as a consultant for many different companies and organizations that want to learn more about aviation.
Patty became a professional aerobatic pilot at 18 years old, and very quickly became well-known for her abilities. She flew her way through countless championships and competitions, and was eventually asked to be the official pilot for the United States Aerobatic Team in 1988.
Patty Wagstaff is still an active member of the US aerobatic team and continues to fly at airshows around the US.
Paul Bonhomme
Paul Bonhomme is a famous British aerobatic pilot, who was born on the 26th of January 1970. He is known for flying displays at airshows throughout Europe, and has won many awards for his flight skills.
At the age of 18, he joined the Royal Air Force to train as a fighter pilot but decided it wasn’t for him. He flew the Tornado F3 in the air defense role before being selected to fly special forces missions using Chinook helicopters. After he left, he became a commercial pilot with British Airways.
After years of experience as a commercial pilot for BA, Bonhomme was involved in planning the Red Arrows tour of southern Africa in 2008. He was chosen to fly the lead Hawk in 2008, 2009, and 2010.
He later set up a business with fellow Red Arrows pilots Mike Stephenson and Clive Grace, which organizes airshows for private companies.
In September 2012 Bonhomme won the prestigious British Aerobatic Championship at RAF Brize Norton . His win gave him the right to name the 2013 display sequence at the Royal International Air Tattoo.
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