Aerobatics - from UPRT to Unlimited

Posted by Archon_POM@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 16 comments

I rarely see posts about Acro flying, so let’s share!

What do you fly, and how did you get into it?

What gear do you use when flying - why is it shorts, T-shirt and a Clarity aloft? (Helmets users, what and why? And how does it fit in your current aircraft?)

What is your best tip for people getting into Acro flying? What’s the recommended starter aircraft.

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I learned a LOT about flying from doing aerobatics early in my flight experience. Being comfortable with spins, accelerated spins, inverted spins, flat spins, to the point that recovery is second nature, gave me a confidence that I would unlikely have ever built.

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sennais1@reddit

Wild spins arent required as part of a syllabus in the US.

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Aerobaticdoc@reddit

I do acro in a decathlon, have done so for 5 or so years. It’s one of the old 150hp fixed pitch babies, and that plane and I have had so many adventures. I wear A20s that are always trying to depart my head when pushing negatives, and I fly with a flight suit (mostly cause the strap arrangement is very uncomfortable for the harness and it helps a ton with the chafing and having zippered pockets.

My favorite part? I haven’t paid for a BFR since. I show up for it with two parachutes and a smile, we do some fun acro after the actual eval portion, and the answer is always “don’t worry about it” when I ask how much I owe on landing. The CFIs at my local school all want a turn.

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EliteEthos@reddit

Would you upgrade to a 180hp or constant speed prop if you could?

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Aerobaticdoc@reddit

Nah. Would one be better yeah, 10/10. But for the price/time/hassle of that upgrade I can get an extra and move up past the intermediate category.

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EliteEthos@reddit

If I had the money, I’d love a Gamebird

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EliteEthos@reddit

I have a 150 Aerobat. I’ve arranged lessons to do aerobatics in it…

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Archon_POM@reddit (OP)

I’ll start! I did a bit in the Air Force and some in gliders years ago.

I am now learning in a Super Decathlon and an Extra, amazing aircraft both of them!

Kit: Flight Suit, flying shoes(heels on my regular shoes are already destroyed), Clarity aloft just landed at home and then a Bose A20 and hopefully a nice helmet at some point.

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hmasing@reddit

First time I looped a glider is a lifetime memory.

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Almost_A_Pear@reddit

Only done it in a Citabria 7GCBC so far. Did my UPRT and aerobatics certificate as part of my training. Very fun of course but valuable experience for sure. I’m not sure how it works in the states and other places but in Canada you only need 10 hours of doing it. UPRT isn’t an official thing here, but the training can be counted if you go somewhere like Europe that requires it.

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The_reddit_reed@reddit

My first flight was in a super decathalon, I had n instructor teaching me basic aerobatic manoeuvres

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Jackpotrazur@reddit

I wanna learn to fly gotta get my state i.d. though to take a discovery flight, all i got is a passport .

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motodan802@reddit

Been flying aerobatics for about 20 years. Started in a Citabria for tailwheel, moved to the Super Decathlon for actual acro training, did an IAC competition, and as part of the prep did spin training including inverted flat spins in an Extra 300 — well worth it.

These days I fly passengers in a Robin DR400/2160 — side-by-side seating, tricycle gear, fully aerobatic. It’s super easy to fly.

My two favorite passengers: pilots who’ve never been inverted, and people afraid of flying, including commercial flying. With the right flight at the right pace, both groups consistently come out transformed. It can be genuinely life-changing, and that never gets old.

Best tip: find your local IAC chapter and show up to an event. It’s a welcoming community.

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RadeZayben@reddit

Decathlons are great starter planes to aerobatics, that’s why I got one to teach in. I was taught initially in a Pitts S2-C. If you haven’t already, look into the IAC and go through there certification and get registered

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capn_starsky@reddit

I always like the decathlon. Started teaching UPRT in a Chipmunk then a Decathlon. Decided to take learn a bit more to do competitions. Slowly did it less and less when I got an airline job. I haven’t flown anything other than a passenger jet in over a decade and I still miss the Chipmunk almost every day.