Posted: 6/24/2009 6:33:34 PM EDT
| Does anyone know how I can get started flying aerobatics in local airshows? I have a school who will teach me to fly the aerobatics but I was wondering how do I get into performing shows for people. Any ideas? |
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My father flew aerobatics at airshows. He flew both solo and a formation routine. It took him several years to get a surface waiver from the FAA. I don't exactly how he went about it, but I know he took quite a few lessons and spent many hours practicing. He didn't fly for a living it was his hobby. He spent every free hour he had flying or in the hanger working on his plane. He lost his life in an accident at a local show. The airshow business is not for the faint of heart. You will lose friends and associates. |
| Don't expect your engine to last doing Aerobatics. It's really tough on engines and A/C. I was very lucky to meet Frank Price. Google him. He told me about making the movie "The Great Waldo Pepper". He did a outside loop from ground level and clipped a ribbon that was like 10 feet off the ground. He had some really cool A/C like the biplane he flew in the movie- Bucker Jungmeister, a Spartan Exec and some others. He use to do upside-down flat spins. I wish I could have flown with him. RIP. His wife (worked at the same place for a while) was a really nice lady. WJ |
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Quoted:
Windjammer, Frank did have quite an accumulation of "stuff". The airplane you thought was a Spartan was actually a "Viceroy" that was a modification of a BT-13. I just saw his sons Charles and John at another old time aviators funeral a few weeks ago. Small world isn't it. He sure had a hard time breathing the last time I visited. He was a real pilot's pilot. Another old timer that died not long ago was Joe Stahl. He was a combat glider pilot in WWII and flew up until his late 80s. He had a Mooney Mite that I lusted after, and a Luscombe. WJ |
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Quoted:
Windjammer, Frank did have quite an accumulation of "stuff". The airplane you thought was a Spartan was actually a "Viceroy" that was a modification of a BT-13. I just saw his sons Charles and John at another old time aviators funeral a few weeks ago. Jim Swick? I've got a Swick-T all over the hangar floor - it might fly again someday. Never had the pleasure of meeting Frank, but I know a couple guys that used to go to Tiger Days. Good stuff. |
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Start by joining the International Aerobatic Club. IAC
Then, start competing. Fly in every contest you can afford. Don't crash. The more you practice, the better you'll be. There's a lot to master. Just properly executed slow rolls in a straight line in both directions will require hours and hours. You'll also want to be a member of ICAS. ICAS Before you can fly in local shows, you'll need an altitude waiver from the FAA. The first one will likely have a 1000 feet AGL floor. Theother thing you may need from the FAA is a designated aerobatics box for practice. There are too many variations to describe, besides, you need to do the homework yourself. Aerobatics is fun, and it gives you a reason to go flying. Many people stop because they're tired of boring holes in the sky and get tired of seeing the local area where they fly. There's always something to do during flight with acro in mind. |