Any aerobatic pilots out there?

motion · 06-02-2005, 05:57 AM

I'm still working on my private pilot ticket, but am thinking that aerobatics might be an interesting direction to head in. I already skydive, so I have that requirement out of the way. Anyone here have any experience? For an adrenaline-crazed individual like myself, is it an interesting sport? I live near the coast, so I'm thinking the views would be good. Is it like roadracing through the sky??

targa911S · 06-02-2005, 06:59 AM

I flew with The Ray Ban aerobatic team once as a media person. Did all the stunts. Man it was better than sex! DO IT!

Rot 911 · 06-02-2005, 07:56 AM

I'm changing my name to "Jonny Lovethrust"

Joeaksa · 06-02-2005, 08:40 AM

Get some airtime in a Citabria, and if you like it then get some time in a Pitts or the like. Go with someone you trust and who is very experienced at acro, because if it goes wrong you may very well end up practicing your parachuting PLF!

Acro is fun but if you are going to do it often its expensive. Not that many airplanes for rent that allow you to do acro that are stressed for it, so you end up having to buy a plane, and they are not cheap.

Its fun but if you think a 911 is expensive... try airplanes or boats!

JoeA

Tim Hancock · 06-02-2005, 08:44 AM

Presently, I only have about 10hrs of mainly dual time doing mostly mild aerobatics in a Pitts S2A & S2B, Christen Eagle and a Decathalon
(Spins, loops, rolls, inverted flight and hammerheads). I am building a fairly hardcore aerobatic plane.

I find that as I only do it sporadically, I sometimes feel a little queasy after about 20 minutes, especially if the other experienced pilot has been at the controls much. I will be OK, but some people have a problem with motion sickness that may not ever go away even with experience.

I have been into all kinds of "crazy hobbies" (water and snow skiing, autocross, go-cart racing, motocross, BMX, snowmobiling, flying etc etc) and other than motocross racing, none have felt as exhilarating as aerobatics.

That said, I really have to watch myself because unlike many of the other hobbies, aerobatics can kill you in a split second. I unfortunately am the type of person who loves to do a high speed low pass with a hard pull and bank at the end. This type of personality is not a safe match with aerobatics if you want to stay alive for long.

If you get into it, stay high always (I will always have to remind myself of this very important rule). The low altitude "cool" stuff you see at airshows is extremely dangerous and these guys are pros yet unfortunately quite a few still end up dead.

mikester · 06-02-2005, 09:05 AM

I live vicariously through my models...

The Red one I do FAI aerobatics with, it's actually what I consider to be my "trainer" airplane. Radio Control has a "Pattern" aerobatics competition with various classes and that is what I am preparing for.

The White one is a much different beast altogether; notice the size of the control surfaces. It's well powered and can not only torque roll and hang on the prop well but it has enough thrust to pull out of that torque roll and continue a veritcal line as far as I want. It does high alfa/stall manuvers very well but won't hold knifedge for anything...

Even with these "models" safety is an issue that must always be in ones thoughts. Unfortunately the crazies out there think "it's only a model" regardless of the 16" carbon fiber prop swinging on the front at near 10k rpm.

motion · 06-02-2005, 10:02 AM

John, thank you, thank you, thank you for that great comparison of disciplines. Sounds very intriguing to me. Anyone heard of AVIAT? They build the planes at the field I fly into in Afton, Wyoming. Will have to tour the factory and maybe get a demo ride this summer.

I'm learning in a 172 and really enjoy the steep turns (well, steep by 172 standards). Just looking ahead and seeing that the $100 burger thing might get boring some day.

Thanks everyone for the info!

Tim Hancock · 06-02-2005, 10:47 AM

Aviat I believe still holds the rights to the Pitts and Christen Eagle aerobatic bi-planes. The Eagles are kitplanes while some are?/were factory built. Kevin Kimball (Kimball Enterprises I believe) is selling kits for the Russian round engine based Pitts Model 12. It is a big badass biplane.

Seahawk · 06-02-2005, 10:53 AM

The Husky is a great plane, and the Pitts is, well, a Pitts!
I've done a lot of acro in both civilian aircraft, military aircraft and, for a truly wild ride, in a British Lynx helicopter. The Lynx has a ridgid rotor system and is able to loop, roll, split s, etc.
The one rule that always goes through my mind when flying acro is: "When it comes to low level flight, you can only tie the record!" Fly high indeed.
All the of previous posts capture the enjoyment of acro, so I won't restate. If you haven't already, I recommend that you look into the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) web site for resources on acro training, experimental aircraft and a lot of great advice on all things aviation. The annual EAA convention in Oskosh is a must at least once in your life as well.
All the best.

Rob Channell · 06-02-2005, 07:23 PM

Thanks for all the info John. Great writeup.

My two cents is to try it. I only had a few hours under my belt as a student (no solo) and had the opportunity to fly with a gentleman in Florida in a Pitts S2A. It was just an aerobatics intro flight. He took me up and showed me some of the basics and then let me fly some. We started with some attitude recovery exercises and then proceeded to try some other moves. I actually got to fly the plane through basic rolls, loops, and hammerhead stalls(unnerving).

Then he took over to show me some more advanced stuff. First, he went into a four point roll....wham! wham! wham! wham! Then we were everywhere at once. I don't remember much about how or where we flew after that until he stopped for a break. It didn't take too much of that until I was green and ready to head back. It's just intense. I loved it! It's kinda like Porsches in 3D.

pwd72s · 06-02-2005, 07:37 PM

Mikester seems to have the safest approach to the game...

Joeaksa · 06-02-2005, 08:50 PM

You guys need to come to Carlsbad this weekend. There are several biplanes giving rides there. Talk one of them into going upside down!

Will be there all weekend on a trip!

Joe A

air-cool-me · 06-02-2005, 08:52 PM

Take your story... change 737 to 767 and climb out to final....

and you have what happened to me!

it was at boeing field in a 172...
luckily my little 172 had enough control Authority to right the aircraft...(must have been weak rollers)

i over controlled it a bit and rolled the other way..

my friend i was flying with said "you did that intentionally right?"
lets just say the landing after that was less then stellar...
Ah the joys of a private pilot with 45hours

from that day on I was very attentive to wake turbulence advisories..

Dantilla · 06-03-2005, 08:19 AM

A while after earning my private license, I thought I should take spin training, just to be a better pilot. I nervously got into the 150 Aerobat with an instructor and climbed to 6000'. Scared to death, I performed my first spin, and was instantly hooked.

I only have access to the 150, so I have done nothing more than spins and simple aileron rolls, but I've been bitten by the bug. My next airplane purchase may have to be something aerobatic.

Bob Goding · 06-03-2005, 06:02 PM

John Cramer, have you walked into a spade yet, hurts!
[I built a Pitts Special about 20 odd years ago,off the plans,before kitsets!] ZK-ECO

Joeaksa · 06-03-2005, 09:38 PM

Bob,

Still have the scars on my forehead from a spade that jumped out in front of me! After that you look a lot closer!

Joe A

VINMAN · 06-06-2005, 09:00 AM

Saw the Blue Angels here at McQuire AFB yesterday. I could see those guys a hundred times and stil be amazed every time!

curlesw · curlesw's Garage

My dad has a Decathalon...I hate flying with him. He says, "Let's go flying", I say "ok, but know funny stuff"...next thing I know I handing upside down doing twists and turns with half somersaults and crap like that...gives me the willies thinking about it...he just laughs...he’s a sick man.

Wayne C.