by guest writer, Carrie Stewart.
Photo by Sam Williams
“The engine is the heart of an airplane, but the pilot is its soul.” - Sir Walter Alexander Raleigh, scholar, poet, and author of the influential book “The War in the Air”
Pilots, aviation enthusiasts, and flight organizations understand the importance of continuous training and development in aviation.
General aviation training can help pilots develop the skills and knowledge necessary for safe and efficient flying. But does that cover all the bases? Are there additional skills that pilots should acquire, such as aerobatics training? What sets aerobatics apart from general aviation?
Aerobatics focuses on the precise execution of advanced maneuvers and stunts, including snap rolls, inverted spins, hammerheads, and inverted flight - just to name a few.
A Lund University School of Aviation study suggests that aerobatics training can help improve a pilot’s confidence, situational awareness, and aircraft handling skills, essential for dealing with high-pressure situations like recovering from unusual orientation.
Please continue reading to learn how aerobatics training can benefit pilots, its considerations and risks, and how flight organizations can incorporate it into general aviation training.
The Benefits of Aerobatics Training
“Fighter pilots have ice in their veins. They don’t have emotions. They think, anticipate. They know that fear and other concerns cloud your mind from what’s going on and what you should be involved in.” – Buzz Aldrin, the second person to ever set foot on the moon, the Apollo 11 mission
General aviation training doesn’t include aerobatics. However, it is an option you can consider building on top of this foundation to develop a specialized skill set.
And there are good reasons why you should. For one, aerobatics training can improve aircraft handling skills.
Pilots who undergo aerobatics training are better equipped to handle challenging flying situations, such as crosswinds, stalls, spins, and other unusual attitudes that may arise during flight.
"Aerobatics makes you more competent and more comfortable." -Patty Wagstaff, three-time U.S. National Aerobatic Champion
Another benefit of taking aerobatics training is improved situational awareness. Performing advanced maneuvers and stunts allows pilots to understand their aircraft’s capabilities and limitations better.
A heightened awareness gives pilots a better grasp of the physical forces that may and can affect an aircraft during flight, helping them anticipate and respond effectively to unexpected situations.
Moreover, aerobatics training can improve a pilot’s confidence. While completing general aviation training can also do this, a University of North Dakota study shows that logging hours and mastering advanced aerobatics maneuvers helps pilots gain greater confidence.
Better confidence in your abilities translates into better decision-making and helps you stay calm and focused during unusual attitudes.
Lastly, aerobatics training is fun. Unlike general aviation training, pilots can push the limits of their skills and explore the full potential of their aircraft.
Considerations and Risks
"Aerobatics is a demanding and challenging form of flying that requires skill, precision, and focus." - Patty Wagstaff, three-time U.S. National Aerobatic Champion
While aerobatics training has many benefits, it has its risks and considerations. One of the main risks is the potential for an accident or loss of control during an aerobatic maneuver.
The University of North Dakota study shows that not all pilots want to engage in aerobatic training, citing fear of accidents as one of the primary reasons.
For instance, an accident may occur if a pilot fails to correctly calculate the altitude needed to perform a loop maneuver, which may cause the aircraft to stall or enter a spin.
Performing aerobatic maneuvers and stunts may also pose G-LOC (G-induced loss of consciousness) accidents, which may happen during sustained inverted flight or high-speed turns.
Another primary consideration is the cost of aerobatics training. Being a specialized training program, it will require additional flight time and technical instruction, which can be expensive.
The equipment and maintenance required for aerobatics also add to the overall cost, deterring many pilots from pursuing this type of training.
Lastly, while it can be a valuable addition to a pilot’s skill set and have significant benefits, aerobatics training isn’t necessary for safe and effective flying.
For example, you may not need to perform loops or rolls if you’re a pilot who primarily flies commercial airliners or cargo planes.
How to Incorporate Aerobatics into General Aviation Training
“The best way to learn aerobatics is to fly with an experienced instructor who can guide you through the maneuvers step by step.” - Patty Wagstaff, three-time U.S. National Aerobatic Champion
Pilots who have received aerobatics training may have enhanced skills in performing advanced maneuvers and handling unexpected attitudes and situations.
But the ability to handle a broader range of scenarios and challenges from receiving comprehensive and diverse training may be better.
Aviation Week and Space Technology stated, "Training should include flights in aerobatic aircraft to practice recovery techniques because no simulator can model the disorientation of actually being upside down."
Incorporating some elements of aerobatics training into general aviation training can produce well-rounded pilots.
Here are some considerations for aviation organizations and flight schools to effectively incorporate aerobatics training into their programs:
- Teach Basic Aerobatic Maneuvers: Not all pilots need to learn tailslides. Focus on the basic principles of aerobatics, such as the fundamentals of Aerodynamics.
"I can't think of a type of flying where there wouldn't be an application for good stick and rudder skills and that's what you get from aerobatic training." -Patty Wagstaff
Educating pilots on basic aerobatic maneuvers like rolls and spins can be helpful. Even if a pilot never plans to perform these flight techniques, the knowledge behind them can be crucial if they happen unintentionally.
- Hire Experienced Instructors: Flight schools should consider hiring experienced aerobatics instructors with a proven track record of safety.
The insight an instructor with a diverse skill set and knowledge base can provide to pilots may become invaluable in unexpected situations.
- Emphasize Safety: Aerobatics training can be dangerous if not performed correctly and without proper instruction.
Flight schools must prioritize safety and ensure that students understand the risks involved in aerobatics and the dangers of not knowing its fundamental principles.
- Incorporate Aerobatics Gradually: Aerobatics training is specialized training. Flight schools should introduce it gradually and progressively, starting with the fundamental principles.
Many aviation enthusiasts and flight students don’t plan to engage in aerobatic flight.
However, a better understanding of how your aircraft performs during unusual attitudes and your limitations as a pilot can increase your situational awareness and ability to respond effectively.
While not necessary for safe and effective flying, aerobatics training can be valuable to a pilot's repertoire and offers several benefits, including improved aircraft handling skills, situational awareness, and confidence.
"Aerobatics is the ultimate challenge for a pilot." -Patty Wagstaff.
Have you heard of Ian Metcher? He always had a passion for flying, but he couldn’t pursue it - not until later in his life.
At the age of 75, he got his pilot’s license and went on to earn an aerobatic endorsement at the age of 78. And get this, at age 86, he won the Western Australia Light Aircraft Championships at Jandakot Airport near Fremantle WA on February 24, 2001, setting the Guinness Book of Records for the oldest competing aerobatic pilot in the world.
See the 2006 talk he gave at the "Old Fliers Club" in Jandakot, Western Australia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6PVNnoI4CA
This just goes to show that you’re never too old to follow your dreams and pursue your passions. So, if you’ve always wanted to try your hand at aerobatics, don’t let age hold you back!
