I am available for aerobatic instruction at SAW (see below) or in your aerobatic airplane.

Learn to fly aerobatics with Specialized Aero Works, at the Bend Airport (BDN). 

 

Aerobatics, maneuvers in which an aircraft is flown under precise control in unusual attitudes (the position of an aircraft determined by the relationship between its axes and a reference such as the horizon). -Encyclopedia Britannica

– Aerobatics is not stunt flying! Just as defined above, aerobatics is PRECISION flying. Learning aerobatics will make you a better pilot, and it’s a lot of fun! Even if the idea of flying aerobatics is not fun to you, it will increase your confidence. At a minimum, get upset prevention and recovery training. See my UPRT page for more on the subject.

– Unfortunately the term Acrobatics is often used (even by the FAA) instead of the more proper term, aerobatics. To me an acrobat is a person who does human feats of balance, agility and tumbling (see the dictionary definition). You will see both terms used. I recommend sticking with the term aerobatics as much as possible.

– Some people have a fear, or dislike, of trying aerobatic type maneuvering. This can be overcome (usually) by easing into aerobatic training. It all starts with a thorough pre-flight brief so you know what to expect. Then you start out with easy and gentle maneuvers so you can build up your confidence and awareness. If you have any motion sickness issues there are strategies and methods of easing those issues and they get better with more flying. There is so much value to aerobatic training that everyone should really try it out. Again, flying aerobatics will make you a better pilot. Some of the benefits are: increased confidence, better stick and rudder skills, awareness in all attitudes, and more.

If you are serious about learning aerobatics I suggest some study in advance of getting training. This will make your ground sessions better and (likely) faster. The better you understand any maneuver the faster you will learn to fly it.

  Basic Aerobatics is a good book to start with.

Watch The Aerobatic Textbook series on YouTube. These videos do a nice job of explaining and demonstrating basic aerobatic maneuvers.

 

Here are some more resources concerning aerobatics

AC 91-48 (Acrobatics-Precision Flying with a Purpose)

AC 91-61 (A hazard in aerobatics – effects of G-forces)

Guidelines For Pilots Seeking All Attitude Training

AOPA Legal Briefing – Aerobatic Flight

AOPA Aerobatics news

International Aerobatic Club  A great resource for all kinds of aerobatic related information, recreational to competition.

– If you want to learn to fly aerobatics you will have to learn to deal with flight above and below 1G. So before your first flight why not learn about how to deal with the physiology of flight above 1G? Here is a webpage with some information you need to know, such as:

• Human physiology in response to gravity
• The G-LOC
• The Anti-G Straining Maneuver (AGSM)  This has its own page. Understand that an intense AGSM is needed for really high-G maneuvering but a much milder approach can be used for basic aerobatics where only approximately up to 4-Gs are used.
• Transient Forces

– Also read AC 91-61 (listed above) for more info on G forces

– NEVER attempt aerobatics in an airplane not approved for them! Not only is it illegal, it’s just plain stupid. I have heard and/or read stories of pilots who wanted to have some fun and decided to attempt aerobatic maneuvers in an inappropriate airplane and usually those individuals had no aerobatic training. This is a recipe for disaster that has turned deadly all too often. Even when the pilot managed to survive they got a good scare out of it at a minimum if not also damage to the airplane, legal action, etc. Be smart, get training and only fly aerobatics in an appropriate airplane with lots of altitude to spare and in an appropriate area.

 

If you are unable to fly with me, you can find an aerobatic instructor/school listed on the IAC website (click on the graphic).

 

     

 

 

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