Originally Posted by
DavidHoul52
It feels like doing a backward somersault while falling over a cliff. A big breakfast beforehand is not recommended.
Expect to look pale and feel ill afterwards.
I'd take issue with both of those points.
Firstly, the vast majority of problems associated with sickness experienced by those unused to aerobatics are caused by an empty stomach - anxiety, combined with a lot of unused stomach acid (or even worse, a couple of cups of coffee and nothing else) swilling about in there is bound to cause a degree of nausea. Personally, my ideal start to the perfect day of aerobatics involves a Full English breakfast, but at the very least I'd recommend something moderately filling. Cassidy strongly advocates the use of porridge as the breakfast of aerobatic champions; Sod that, I say - go for an egg banjo as a minimum - you can work up to Unlimited Porridge later.
Secondly, having dealt with the basic nutritional issues, the fact is that people often think themselves into a state of nausea - so called "fearful anticipation" - not helped by comments such as those above by DH. You shouldn't emerge from the aircraft after your first spinning trip "pale and feeling ill afterwards" - you should emerge with a stupid grin, probably rather sweaty, and wondering (a) what all the doom and gloom was about (b) that it was actually bloody good fun and (c) when can you go again?
Failure to achieve (a),(b) and (c) would largely be down to a combination of the instructor and the airframe. I would recommend seeking out an instructor for whom spinning, and aerobatics in general, are second nature. In order for you to be relaxed, you need to be in the company of someone who has the experience and ability that *no* matter how badly you manage to botch the affair, they will be able to sort it out in short order. The choice of airframe is also important - if you want to experience the maximum amount of spin training for your money, then choose something aerobatic with an acceptable degree of performance (Cessna Aerobats need not apply, sorry) - otherwise most of your money will be spent having some wheezing spamcan ponderously claw itself back up to height at your expense.
Given your stated location requirements, I would say get yourself down to White Waltham and book a session with Cassidy or one of the other excellent aerobatic instructors there - you will get a thorough ground briefing explaining the theory of, and a lucid, measured practical training in the practise of spinning in a capable airframe.
Oh, and the food is brilliant as well.