Designed to tempt all pilots to at least try the exciting sport of aerobatics, this book covers both the skill and knowledge required to fly in three dimensions. The author encourages all pilots to seek out some aerobatics training--if not for the pure enjoyment of it, then for the knowledge gained should you depart from controlled flight or find yourself in an unintentional unusual attitude. Even for pilots who never intend to develop their aerobatics repertoire, basic aerobatic training will serve them well in all other aspects of flying--from pleasure flying to a professional pilot career. And for the experienced aerobatic pilot, the author provides tips, suggestions, and instructions for all the basic aerobatic maneuvers.
The book includes the terminology unique to aerobatics, and dedicates a chapter each to the physics and physiology of aerobatic flight. Unlike any other kind of flying, aerobatics requires a sensitive "seat of the pants" approach to aircraft handling, and the author spends a good deal of the text explaining how to develop and nurture the control technique and feel required for the sport. Additionally, he explains how to prepare for an aerobatic sortie, including the aircraft involved, personal checklists, preflight requirements and the regulations governing aerobatics.
All the basic aerobatic maneuvers are covered, accompanied by easy-to-understand explanations, step-by-step instructions, and clear illustrations. Covered maneuvers include the wing-over, aileron roll, loop, hammerhead, inverted flight, Immelmann turn, split-s, knife-edge flight, hesitation and snap rolls, the avalanche and much more. The aerobatic sequence is explained, along with the Aresti Notation, which is used by aerobatic professionals and competitors in display and contests.
The book concludes with a training program, useful to both the instructor and the student. This syllabus applies all the lessons learned throughout the book in an effective, integrated training curriculum.
Chapters: Foreward by the French Connection aerobatic team; Dedication; Author; Acknowledgements; Introduction 1. Terminology; 2. The Aerodynamics Behind Aerobatics; 3. The Physiology of Maneuvering Flight; 4. Control Technique and Feel; 5. Preparing for Aerobatics; 6. Aerobatic Maneuvers; 7. An Aerobatic Sequence; 8. A Basic Aerobatic Training Program; Afterward.
Author Profile: David Robson is a career aviator who made his first parachute jump at 16 and soled an airplane at 17. He served in the Royal Australian Air Force for 21 years as a fighter, test and aerobatic pilot, flying a wide variety of military fighter jets and even gliders. After retiring from the Air Force, he became a civilian instructor pilot and lecturer and spent over ten years with the Australian Aviation College. He has also served as editor of the Aviation Safety Digest and was awarded both the prestigious Flight Safety Foundation's international award and the Australian Aviation Safety Foundations' Certificate of Air Safety. He joined Trevor Thom's team at the Aviation Theory Centre in 1997.
Format: Softcover, 184 pages, illustrated throughout.
