AOPA Basic Aerobatic Certificate
What is the AOPA Basic Aerobatic Certificate?
There are no CAA or JAA recognised aerobatic "qualifications" in the UK; AOPA and the British Aerobatics Association (BAeA) have designed the AOPA Basic Aerobatic syllabus in order to encourage those pilots who wish to become proficient in the basic aerobatic manoeuvres to undertake training through a properly structured formal course. Tthis Certificate will indicate that the holder is competent to safely fly aerobatic manoeuvres for which they have been cleared. The manoeuvres learnt will also enable the student to take part in the Beginners' events organised by the BAeA. Ultimate High students who have passed the course will be able to fly those manoeuvres as aircraft captain, subject to normal currency/ aircraft conversion requirements.
What does the course cover?
The course consists of a minimum of 8 hours' dual flying with an instructor who is qualified to give aerobatic instruction (as are all Ultimate High instructor pilots). Pilots with some aerobatic experience may qualify for a reduction in the flying hour requirement. The theoretical knowledge section of the course (see below) consists of a minimum of 8 hours.
Can anyone do the course?
Students may commence the course at any time after qualifying for a PPL or NPPL; Ultimate High recommends that pilots normally have a minimum of 50 hours P1. Upon completion of the course, students are required to have their competence assessed in the air by an AOPA registered instructor; it should be noted that this test flight is additional to the 8 hours required for the course. When the test has satisfactorily been completed, it may be sent off to AOPA accompanied by a small fee, who will then issue a certificate.
Can you combine the course with any other training at Ultimate High?
Yes, you can combine the AOPA Basic Aerobatic course in the Bulldog with our Advanced PPL course. This combined course is 15 hours of flying (normally 18 hours if done separately).
If you wish to fly the Chipmunk, we offer an 11 hour Combined Basic Aerobatics/ Tailwheel course (normally 13 hours if done separately).
Flight Training - Basic Manoeuvres assessed at the end of the course
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Loop
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Aileron (Ballistic) Roll
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Barrel Roll
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Slow (level) Roll
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Stall Turn
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Half roll of the top of a Loop
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Half Cuban Eight (rolling on down line) or Half Loop up, half Barrel Roll down (Quarter Clover rolling downwards)
Theoretical Knowledge
1. Technical Subjects
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Legislation affecting aerobatic flying
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Airframe and engine limitations - revision
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Stalling & spinning - principles of flight
2. Physical Limitations
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Body stresses - 'g' forces
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Disorientation
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Airsickness
3. Limitations Applicable to the Specific Aeroplane Type
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Load factors
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Airspeeds
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Engine (including inverted flight limitations)
4. Emergency Drills
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Use of parachutes. Aircraft abandonment.
5. Aresti System
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Notation for basic aerobatic manoeuvres - www.arestisystem.com
Aircraft:
The AOPA Basic Aerobatic Certificate is conducted in the Bulldog or the Chipmunk. We do not offer this course in the Extra300 as it is not a good basic aerobatics teaching aeroplane; it does not teach you about energy management and therefore potentially develops bad habits for aerobatics in standard aerobatic aircraft. If you wish to fly the course in the Chipmunk, but have no tailwheel experience, we would recommend that you combine it with a Tailwheel Conversion.
It is always possible to do a couple of trips in the Extra300 at the END of any of our courses if you would like. You will then appreciate more fully this amazing aircraft! Flights in the Extra300 can usually be decided upon once you have started your course.
More info:
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Courses normally start on a Monday. Due to busy schedules and the considerable amount of ground briefing, we are unable to start new courses on a Friday or Saturday, except during the winter months.
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Upon completion of the course, students are required to have their competence assessed in the air by an AOPA registered instructor; it should be noted that this test flight is additional to the time required for the course. When the test has satisfactorily been completed, it may be sent off to AOPA accompanied by a small fee, who will then issue a certificate.
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Students may commence the course at any time after qualifying for a PPL or NPPL; we recommend that pilots normally have a minimum of 50 hours P1.
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What next?
Progress beyond the AOPA Basic Aerobatic Certificate depends upon students' objectives. Ultimate High can further develop students' aerobatics through Standard, Intermediate and Advanced aerobatic manoeuvres, which can include sequences, Competition aerobatics and even display flying.