Overview Aerobatics

1 overview

1.1 training
1.2 competition
1.3 performance

overview

the utterly butterly wingwalking team perform aerobatic maneuver boeing stearmans.

in days of flying, pilots used aircraft part of flying circus entertain. among earliest innovators in aerobatics frenchman euclid s name foremost.

maneuvers flown artistic reasons or draw gasps onlookers. in due course of these maneuvers found allow aircraft gain tactical advantage during aerial combat or dogfights between fighter aircraft.

aerobatic aircraft fall 2 categories—specialist aerobatic, , aerobatic capable. specialist designs such pitts special, 200 , 300, , sukhoi su-26m , sukhoi su-29 aim ultimate aerobatic performance. comes @ expense of general purpose use such touring, or ease of non aerobatic handling such landing. @ more basic level, aerobatic capable aircraft, such cessna 152 aerobat or r2160 acrobin, can dual purpose—equipped carrying passengers , luggage, being capable of basic aerobatic figures.

flight formation aerobatics flown teams of sixteen aircraft, although teams fly between 4 , ten aircraft. state funded reflect pride in armed forces while others commercially sponsored. coloured smoke trails may emitted emphasise patterns flown and/or colours of national flag. each team use aircraft similar 1 finished in special , dramatic colour scheme, emphasising entertainment function.

teams fly v-formations (otherwise known echelon formation)— not fly directly behind aircraft because of danger wake vortices or engine exhaust. aircraft fly below aircraft in front, if have follow in line (the trail formation ).

the uk swift aerobatic display team @ kemble battle of britain weekend 2009. swift glider performing continuous full rolls while towed piper pawnee

aerobatic maneuvers flown in jet-powered aircraft limited in scope cannot take advantage of gyroscopic forces propeller driven aircraft can exploit. jet-powered aircraft tend fly faster, increases size of figures , length of time pilot has withstand increased g-forces. jet aerobatic teams fly in formations, further restricts maneuvers can safely flown.

aerobatics done @ low levels , audience called stunt flying . enhance show effect of aerobatic maneuvers, smoke generated; smoke allows viewers see path travelled aircraft. due safety concerns, smoke not result of combustion produced vaporization of fog oil fine aerosol, achieved either injecting oil hot engine exhaust or use of dedicated device can fitted in position on aircraft. first military aerobatic team use smoke @ during displays fleet air arm 702 squadron black cats @ farnborough airshow in september 1957.

training

aerobatics taught military fighter pilots means of developing flying skills , tactical use in combat. many aerobatic manoeuvers indeed developed in military conflicts, e.g. immelmann turn or split s.

aerobatics , formation flying not limited solely fixed-wing aircraft; british army, royal navy, spanish air force , indian air force, among others, have helicopter display teams.

all aerobatic maneuvers demand training , practice avoid accidents. accidents due aerobatic manoeuvers rare in competition aerobatics, of them happen when performing formation flying or stunt flying @ low levels @ airshows or air racing. low-level aerobatics extremely demanding , airshow pilots must demonstrate ability before being allowed gradually reduce height @ may fly show.

in eu, flying aerobatics requires special training , license. in canada, no licence required perform aerobatics, carry passengers during aerobatics pilot must have @ least 10 hours dual flight instruction of aerobatic manoeuvres, or 20 hours of total aerobatic experience.

competition

a spanish air force colibri demonstrates agility barrel roll

competitions start @ primary, or graduate level , proceed in complexity through sportsman, intermediate , advanced, unlimited being top competition level. experienced aerobatic pilots have been measured pull +/-5g short periods while unlimited pilots can perform more extreme maneuvers , experience higher g levels -possibly +8/−6g. limits positive g higher negative g , due ability limit blood pooling positive g maneuvers, accepted +9 g more few seconds lead loss of consciousness (also known gloc).

performance

aerobatics seen @ public airshows in form of stunt flying. aerobatic competitions not attract large crowds of spectators since manoeuvers flown @ safe altitudes avoid accidents.