

Many pilots, even if they are not professional air show or aerobatic aviators, are fond of aileron rolls as one of the first aerobatic maneuvers they are able to master. All movement with the stick must be undertaken smoothly and calmly, or the pilot could find him or herself in an unintentional stall. The pilot then allows airspeed to rebuild, and introduces more power once the nose is level. Doing so allows him or her to apply the rudder in the opposite direction of the spin. The most important aspect of this move is that the pilot pulls back the stick before the airplane stalls, thus remaining in control. By reducing power during level flight and gently pulling up the nose and closing the throttle, an aerobatic pilot begins his or her spin maneuver.
#BASIC AIR COMBAT MANEUVERS SERIES#
While an accidental spin can all too easily become fatal, a controlled, intentional spin is a popular feat which demonstrates courage and mastery of not only control of the airplane, but of the natural disorientation which takes place while corkscrewing towards the ground.Īerobatic pilots execute spins safely by choosing a point of reference on the ground, much the way a figure skater or ballet dancer finds a spot in the theater or arena to look at before beginning a series of fast turns. Spins seize one of a pilot’s biggest enemies while in the sky-a stall-and transforms it into a spectacular, Instagram-friendly maneuver. Some of the basic figures, however, are based on the same aerobatic maneuvers.

Common Aerobatic ManeuversĪir shows, however, are more focused on crowd-pleasing maneuvers designed to dazzle the onlookers in a dramatic or even comedic presentation. These must take place within a tight section of airspace called “ the box.” The precision of the figures are then scored by specifically trained judges. One way to better appreciate the kind of skill a professional air show displays is to become familiar with the various aerobatic maneuvers and techniques of aerobatics.Īerobatic competitions usually involve compulsory figures, which are closely governed and restricted by a specific set or rules. When enjoying an air show, it’s easy to become swept away by the daring feats of the performers and the tremendous control demonstrated by the pilots. A Beginner’s Guide to Aerobatic Maneuversĭuring an airshow, pilots utilize various types of jaw-dropping flips and tricks, but most of the tricks derive from these four aerobatic maneuvers.
