Aerobatics
Typically, an aircraft flies a very consistent path. Occasionally, if you are lucky, you will witness a pilot utilizing the entire flight envelope of his or her aircraft. This can most commonly be experienced at an air show and the maneuvers performed are referred to as aerobatics.
Aerobatics is the demonstration of flying maneuvers for training, recreation or entertainment. Basic aerobatics involve moving the aircraft around its longitudinal axis (roll) or pitch axis. Examples of basic maneuvers are a roll and a loop. More advanced maneuvers add the vertical axis (yaw) to the mix. Examples of advanced maneuvers are the rolling circle, the blender, the lomcevak.
In the full size arena, aerobatic maneuvers are performed by some pilots merely for entertainment. Others do so for sport. For a very few fortunate pilots it is a career! Students learning to fly military fighters are taught aerobatics for the purpose of learning precise flying skills and for use in combat. Students learning to fly radio controlled aircraft are required to learn basic aerobatic maneuvers for similar reasons.
Aside from the joy experienced when performing aerobatics, knowing how to recover the aircraft from unusual orientations provides real life benefits. If a pilot is flying a radio controlled aircraft, the potential for the aircraft to suddenly deviate from the normal flight path due to high wind, radio interference, a mechanical failure or the like is a very real possibility. Knowing how to recover from uncontrolled flight can save the aircraft and may also prevent damage to property and avert the potential for injury to the pilots, spectators and by-standers. These skills are learned through the use of aerobatic training.
At the basic level, aerobatics are not difficult to learn or perform. Although advanced aerobatics are spectacular to watch, they are extremely difficult to perform and learning how to perform the maneuvers requires a high level of skill and dedication. For those who find enjoyment in precisely performing a series of aerobatic maneuvers in a specific sequence, radio controlled flight offers a venue known as “Pattern” flight. Another example of advanced aerobatics is referred to as “3D”.
Aerobatic flight is not limited to airplanes. Helicopter pilots can also perform aerobatic maneuvers. Because radio controlled helicopters are capable of hovering right side up as well as inverted and can also fly backward, helicopter pilots have more maneuvers at their disposal.
As you can see, aerobatics are merely another way in which people in this hobby can entertain themselves and each other. Learning aerobatics will not only make you a better pilot, mastering new maneuvers will provide you with a high level of satisfaction. For more information on aerobatics, explore the “Pattern” and “3D” links on our site.
Quique Somenzini performing. He is one of the world’s best aerobatic airplane pilots!
Alan Szabo performing. He is one of the world’s best aerobatic helicopter pilots!
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