Rapattack,
As others have pointed out, there are a few well-known names in the UK. Ultimate High is one. But aerobatics is taught at a lot of places.
A couple of points to consider when you're going to select a school:
- First and foremost, get instruction from someone who loves to do aeros. Not from an FI who happens to sort-of know how to do a loop. Ex-RAF FIs are probably a good bet. Instructors who fly aeros competitions or demos are also a good choice.
- As others pointed out, there will be an EASA aerobatics rating in the future, but no such thing exists right now under JAA. That also implies that you don't have to go through a formal training program, with a formally qualified flight instructor. You can be PIC while getting "advice" from somebody who is, legally speaking, a passenger. Now most aeros instructors also happen to be certified flight instructors, so there's no problem there. But I happen to know a guy who is an excellent aeros instructor, competition and demo pilot, but doesn't have his FI papers. Legally speaking that's no problem, but you might want to discuss the PIC role, insurance and checkout issues beforehand.
- As far as a formal training program is concerned, even though none is required by law, it's a good idea to use one anyway. I think AOPA has got an eight-lesson plan available, and there's a similar plan listed in the "Aerobatics; Principles and Practice" book of David Robson.
- Don't focus too much on the type of plane you'll be flying early in your aerobatics career. At least up to Standard level you can use a Robin R2160, GeneralAvia F22, Fuji FA-200, Slingsby Firefly, Decathlon or something similar to those. In fact, learning on a plane like that will teach you a few things that a Pitts or Extra will not teach you, at that stage. Only when you're at or beyond Standard level do you need something more sophisticated (and thus expensive).
- Once you get to a level that you can fly certain base maneuvers (such as a loop, a cuban eight, a stall turn and a few others) solo, you might want to look at the BAeA events calender and enroll in a "LOOP" beginners day. (Don't know if they're still going to be called that next year - I think I heard somebody mention that LOOP magazine stopped their sponsorship or something like that.) These beginners days allow you to try your hand at competition aerobatics in a very relaxed manner.
Oh, and if you're thinking about doing an intensive course, or in general want to prepare for some intense aeros flying:
- Make sure you are well rested, fed and everything. At least according to the I'M SAFE mnemonic, but preferably a bit better than that.
- There is a scientific paper available about desensitization to nausea therapy. It contains a few exercises that (supposedly) help. I have never tried them myself but if you're going to travel to an aeros school for an intensive course (like your posts suggests), they might be a good idea.
http://medind.nic.in/iab/t07/s1/iabt07s1p37.pdf