1. FLYING BASIC COMPETITION AEROBATICS David Pilkington July 2013

2. 2 The options Five categories at a contest – typical aircraft desired Unlimited – Extra 300 or Sukhoi or CAP 232 Advanced – Laser or Pitts S-1 Intermediate – Pitts S-2A Sportsman – Super Decathlon, Robin 2160, Airtourer 150/T-6 Graduate – Citabria, Decathlon, Cessna 150/152 or Airtourer

3. 3 Arriving at the contest Practice beforehand – critique from ground Registration Official practice Local landmarks Jobs – boundary, penciller … Briefing – for your safety

4. 4 Preflight Watch wind effect on previous pilots Plan entry to box and xwind correctors Walk through the sequence Fly it just like the practice (critiqued) Starter: Direction of flight Holding instructions Fuel harness

5. 5 The Box

6. 6 Enter the box Enter on tight base & final, in a dive Start dive at …… ft For first figure at …….. ft Line up on the centre of the box, the left side of box or is that the right side? Waggle wings, then straight & level Plan to be away from the judges when high and come closer as lower – if you can see the judges, they can see you!

7. 7 The Loop

8. 8 Lines

9. 9 Zero Lift Angle

10. 10 45 O Lines

11. 11 Marking the figures - the basic rules Start with a perfect 10 – deduct errors seen to nearest ½ point Every 5 O off line is 1 point Zero for: Exceeding 90 O off line Wrong way on x axis Wrong figure

12. 12 Slow Rolls

13. 13 Spin Constant height on entry Left or right? Recovery technique Vertical down Speed for next figure

14. 14 Stall turn Vertical up and down Hit the rudder at the right speed Equal radii in and out Do NOT need to finish at same altitude

15. 15

16. 16 Fly the sequence, not figures Before each manoeuvre consider whether you have sufficient airspeed and height to safely perform it plus do it well enough to earn point. Also check that you are going the right direction in the box and are well positioned for the judges. Break and climb, come around again if the answer is NO. Graduate has NIL penalty for a break. In any category a break is penalised by much less than messing up a figure. 3 wing dips to indicate a break and again to resume

17. 17 Fly the sequence, not figures Humpty Position in the box centre Entry and exit radii must be equal Fly a radius at the top Does NOT have to finish at same altitude – get speed for next figure Consider it like a loop with hesitation up and down

18. 18 Fly the sequence, not figures Half Cuban Eight Where are the judges? Loop radius and exit radius must be equal 45 deg down on attitude - ZLA Does NOT have to finish at same altitude – get speed for next figure Roll is centred

19. 19 Fly the sequence, not figures Roll off the Top Half loop and then half roll “much of how you will score is influenced by how you look in the first three figures ……… invest the altitude … reap any hero points”

20. 20 Fly the sequence, not figures 1 ¼ Spin Which way to spin? Will finish yawed on down line – fix it immediately Speed for next figure GENERAL Break if getting low or way out of box or risk of getting low in your next figure

21. 21 Fly the sequence, not figures Stall Turn Which way to turn? Pause down before the roll then hold to centre the roll Speed for next figure GENERAL Break if getting low or way out of box or risk of getting low in your next figure

22. 22 Fly the sequence, not figures Fish Hook 45 deg up on attitude then pause roll then hold Pause on vertical down Loop Centre it in front of the judges

23. 23 Fly the sequence, not figures The Turns Fly straight then get to 60 deg bank then pull to turn Constant angle of bank at constant height Stop the turn and then roll to level This is NOT a normal smooth entry and exit to a steep turn Not many points so sue them to position

24. 24 Fly the sequence, not figures The Turns Fly straight then get to 60 deg bank then pull to turn Constant angle of bank at constant height Stop the turn and then roll to level This is NOT a normal smooth entry and exit to a steep turn Important: which way to turn?

25. 25 Fly the sequence, not figures Hesitation Roll Do NOT raise the nose at the start Fly it at constant height and constant roll rate Pause inverted – for as long as it took to roll inverted – hold the altitude Keep it straight with rudder as you finish – don't relax the forward stick pressure too early

26. 26

27. 27 Finish the sequence - focus Finish the Sequence Wing dips Put Brain in gear – the aerobatics is over Focus – aviate, navigate, communicate Understand the pilot briefing on box exit and return to landing Ask if you do not understand