Hello there. Is there any option to meet instructors and watch aerobatics pilots trainings between their shows somewhere in the UK? Which aeroclub organizes some sort of open trainings? after some search on the internet in general and on sport-oriented sites like: https://zoptamo.com/uk there are still no results on list 🙁 Someone here maybe have an appropriate info?
By: Colly - 31st January 2017 at 06:39
Hey, thanks for all your help, your reply is very useful 😀
By: viscount - 24th January 2017 at 14:15
The controlling body for Aerobatics in the UK is The British Aerobatic Association (BAeA). https://www.aerobatics.org.uk
They organise a number of events across Britain from training to (extremely occasionally) World Competition. Most events permit attendance by the public, at some public and competitors/judges are separated to a degree, at other they mix freely, although access to aircraft by invitation only. Note that competition aerobatics are flown to very different rules than airshow aerobatic routines eg minimum heights are much higher, display centre line much further from the public area, routines consist of a set of solo manoeuvers (not fancy team shows) etc – indeed as a spectator sport competition aerobatics are likely to disappoint.
For a list of BAeA events: https://www.aerobatics.org.uk/events?year=2017
I have been to the Golding-Barrett Aerobatic trophy competition a couple of times. At Sleap (near Wem, between Whitchurch and Shrewsbury) competitors, judges and public mix freely – pilots are frequently only too happy to chat – but only after they have flown their routine, before they are often to be seen walking through their routine in great concentration. While the judges are also in the public area, and again happy to chat when not judging a routine, the actual aerobatics are performed at a distance and height where you need to concentrate and use binoculars to appreciate the routines.
Training aerobatic manoeuvers is usually undertaken by student and instructor, or rehearsal of routines, in a suitable aircraft in quiet airspace at several thousand feet in good weather – safety demanding plenty of height, so well above casual observation from the ground. If you are interested in aerobatic training yourself, or wish to be flown through an aerobatic routine as an air experience then a number of flying clubs are able to help.
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January 24, 2017 at 6:54 am