Evo,
What is the syllabus for the AOPA course?
There are lots of good books about aeros, my favourites are by
Mike Goulian/ a n other
Bill Thomas
Eric Muller/Annette Carson
Neil Williams book is good but not as explanatory as those above
Dyuane Cole's books are pretty easy to read/understand but are limited in terms of explanation but the drawings are easy to follow!
Before trying a new maneouver I read all the accounts of flying it that I can find, translate them if required to sitting behind a prop turning clockwise and start off at a very good height.
If the AOPA course floats your boat then I would recommend that you pitch up at a BAeA competition to spectate and see if that might be for you, too.
Stik
BAeA competitor