MEMORY AIDS the loose ends away from your body. Exit some high performance aerobatic airplanes the airplane head first. As soon as you're can depart into an aggravated spin. clear of the airplane, LOOK at the rip cord Simple Strategies for handle (the D-shaped ring), GRAB it with If you're flying a Pitts- or Eagle-type Aerobatic Safety both hands, and PULL! mount and you're implementing the Beggs "hands-off" method, you must still remove In-Flight Pre-Aerobatic Checks the power and apply rudder fully opposite Copyright © 1998 by Rich Stowell to the direction of yaw. These two actions FOUR A's - Altitude, Articles, definitely require "hands-on" action by the This article was orginally published Aircraft, Airspace: Be sure you have pilot. Observe the stick to make sure that it in Sport Aerobatics magazine; however, enough Altitude to begin. Factor in the does, indeed, then move to neutral much of the information applies whether maneuvers to be flown, your current level (ailerons and elevator)--usually within 1/2- you're a seasoned aerobatic competitior or of proficiency and physical conditioning, to 3/4-turn after full opposite rudder. If a pilot contemplating basic spin, and an adequate safety factor. Verify that not, be prepared to manually position the emergency maneuver, or aerobatic all loose Articles are secure--this includes stick neutral. training. The PARE, Power--Push--Roll, windows, doors, canopies, and occupants! Speed--Spot--Set-up, and other emergency Verify that the Aircraft is configured Whether you perform the four basic strategies are developed more thoroughly properly--mixture, switches, engine recovery actions yourself, or divide the in my book, Emergency Maneuver instruments, carburetor heat/alternate air, actions a-la the Beggs method, the PARE Training , now available on-line from the flaps. Clear the Airspace for other traffic acronym allows you to follow a systematic Learning Center Pilot Shop. and make sure you're complying either check of anti-spin control positions. with the provisions of FAR 91.303 or a The secret behind the success of top waiver for the area. Inverted Attitudes aerobatic pilots can be summed up in three words: practice, practice, practice! Unusual Attitudes Power--Push--Roll: In the aerobatic Defining a goal, outlining a plan, repeating environment, if you find yourself upside maneuvers over and over again until they RELAX: Most unusual attitudes in down when you shouldn't be, reduce the become instinctive, until sequences flow the aerobatic environment are pilot- Power (especially if you're descending). seamlessly, precisely--such is the induced. Trying to force the airplane to fly Apply a slight Push on the elevator to commitment of many involved in without enough energy, or with misapplied reduce the positive g-load and to retard the competitive aerobatics. But instinctive controls, or both can quickly lead to an rate at which the nose may be falling responses--tailored to the situation, honed inadvertent stall/spin or inverted attitude. through the horizon. Apply full aileron, by practice--are also important for those The airplane will usually return to a more followed by coordinated rudder, to Roll unusual events that occasionally sneak into normal flight mode by simply relaxing the airplane upright. Avoid pulling while otherwise flawless performances. your grip on the controls--even letting go-- you're rolling--roll upright first, in a low-g when a maneuver first goes sour. environment, then recover the pitch Proficiency in aerobatics should not attitude. only include practicing sequences of Even experienced pilots would be maneuvers, but also should include hard pressed to save a botched maneuver. In-Flight Engine Failure routinely reviewing emergency If it's that bad, it probably would be scored procedures. This is true especially at the a zero anyway. Why compound matters by Speed--Spot--Set-up: Establish best beginning of the aerobatic season and any transitioning into an unusual attitude? glide Speed without delay. Select and head time you're adding new maneuvers to your Abort those errant maneuvers early toward a suitable landing Spot. If time and repertoire. Here are a few memory aids instead. You'll regain control faster and altitude permit, Set-up for the landing by that might come in handy during your you'll have more options available configuring the airplane according to the aerobatic training: afterwards. operating handbook. If you're landing off- airport, don't forget to prepare the airplane Emergency Egress Considerations Inadvertent Spin so you can get out of it once it's on the ground. Consider opening or even THREE H's - Handle, Headset, PARE® (pronounced "pair"): So, jettisoning the door or canopy prior to Harness: Grab the emergency Handle (it's you just couldn't find it within yourself to landing. often red,Rich or should be) and jettison Stowell the abort that botched maneuver, Consulting or to relax door or canopy (Note: Decathlons and your grip on the controls and let the When preparing for an aerobatic Citabrias have a retaining pin that must be airplane sort it out for you. You're flight, tuck these or similar strategies away removed first to unlock the handle. suddenly spinning when you shouldn't be. in the back of your mind just in case. Although you generallywww.richstowell.com pull the handle, in What now? Power--Off; Ailerons-- Better yet, why not make it a habit to some Citabrias it must be pushed). Neutral; Rudder--Full Opposite to the practice emergency procedures once in a Remove your Headset and drop it to the direction of Yaw; Elevator--Move toward while? A couple of hours of dual side (If you're wearing a helmet, Neutral. Closing the throttle as soon as the instruction might be a wise investment if disconnect the headset cord from the airplane starts rotating significantly you're feeling a bit rusty, too. Be safe! airplane). Undo your Harness and move reduces the speed and fury with which