We offer tailored aerobatic training by the hour in the T67 Firefly and Extra 300, including:
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the Aerobatic Rating FCL.800 (see details below)
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all the AOPA Aerobatic Certificate Courses (Basic, Standard and Intermediate),
Our Aerobatic Rating FCL.800 course is available to military pilots through ELCAS - the MOD's Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme (ELC). Go to their website and search for "Aerobatic" - we are provider 10824 Power Aerobatics Ltd (our registered company name).
Interested in aerobatics but not sure what is required, what the benefits are, or what it’s like?
Watch and listen to FLYER magazine boss Ian Seager interview our CEO Mark Greenfield about aerobatics further down this page.
Click here for prices and our FAQ.
Aerobatic Rating (Part FCL.800)
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The Aerobatic Rating is a mandatory rating now needed by anyone wishing to fly aerobatics in an EASA registered aerobatic aircraft.
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Although not required for non-compliant types such as warbirds, experimental category or older aircraft, the Rating is a useful and widely accepted method of recognition of aerobatics competence.
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The Aerobatic Rating is a lifetime rating. It may be undertaken by any pilot with a UK CAA issued Licence who has completed at least 40 hours of flight time as PIC in the appropriate aircraft category, since the issue of their licence.
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The course requires at least 5 hours of aerobatic instruction (translating to 7 hours of flying time) or 20 flights, and theoretical knowledge instruction as described below.
It is similar to the AOPA Basic Aerobatic course but there is no test at the end of this course. The flight exercises are repeated as necessary until the applicant achieves a safe and competent standard and at the end of the course the student pilot should be able to perform a flight containing a sequence of aerobatic manoeuvres.
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The Aerobatic Rating course is conducted in the T67M260 Firefly and is 8 hours of flying (around 10-12 sorties, along with 8 hours of ground instruction).
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It normally takes 5 days, weather and student aerobatic capacity/aptitude permitting, with courses usually starting on a Monday and continuing through to Friday.
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The course does not include a convex to the aircraft - this is something that may be done separately, if required.
If students wish to expand their aerobatics after this course, we recommend the Standard AOPA Aerobatics course next (followed by the Intermediate course). AOPA courses are set to equate to the levels to compete in the British Aerobatic Association Competitions of Basic, Standard and Intermediate.
Please note that, in order to progress from one course level to another, considerable aerobatic consolidation practice is usually required in between - ie courses cannot be done straight after one another.
Aerobatic Rating FCL.800 - Theoretical Knowledge
(1) human factors and body limitation:
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spatial disorientation
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airsickness
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body stress and G-forces, positive and negative
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effects of grey- and blackouts
(2) technical subjects:
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legislation affecting aerobatic flying to include environmental and noise subjects
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principles of aerodynamics to include slow flight, stalls and spins, flat and inverted
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general airframe and engine limitations
(3) limitations applicable to the specific aircraft category (and type):
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air speed limitations
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symmetric load factors
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rolling Gs (type-related, as applicable
(4) aerobatic manoeuvres and recovery:
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entry parameters
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planning systems and sequencing of manoeuvres
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rolling manoeuvres
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looping manoeuvres
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combination manoeuvres
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entry and recovery from developed spins, flat, accelerated and inverted
(5) emergency procedures:
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recovery from unusual attitudes
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drills to include the use of parachutes (if worn) and aircraft abandonment
Aerobatic Rating FCL.800 - Flying Training
(1) confidence manoeuvres and recoveries:
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slow flights and stalls
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steep turns
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side slips
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engine restart in-flight (if applicable)
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spins and recovery
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recovery from spiral dives
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recovery from unusual attitudes
(2) aerobatic manoeuvres:
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Chandelle (Wingover)
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Lazy Eight
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rolls
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loops
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inverted flight
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Hammerhead turn (Stall Turn)
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Immelmann (Roll off the Top)
Why should pilots choose to fly Aerobatics?
Mark Greenfield gives his view to the FLYER livestream
