Aerobatics for UK issued JAR-PPL Licence

[PC-6]

After some research on the good internet, I am now more confused than I was before...

Here is the thing:

From what I gather, there is no such thing as an "Aerobatics" rating in the UK. You do a course, the instructor stamps your logbook and off you go. Very much like the difference training (VP, RU, TC) or the tailwheel endorsement.

Am I correct so far?


In Switzerland, things are a bit more official. You do a course, then pass a flight test with an examiner and then you get an ACR (acrobatic) annotation on the licence itself.


Now the question is :

I have a UK issued JAR-PPL but for various reasons wish to do some aerobatic training in Switzerland. Obviously, the Swiss CAA cannot touch my licence because it's a UK licence. So what is the proceedure? Do I just do the training then get the instructor (wich has a JAA FI Licence) to stamp the logbook? Or would the CAA get funny about this?

Anyone had some similar experience?

[foxmoth]

As you say there is no Aeros rating on a UK PPL and in fact it does not even require differences training or an Instructor sign off (any sign off done is for your record and to show anyone you might want to hire from, but it is not required) so you can just do the training and then continue without any further action.

[Mark 1]

In the UK and (AFAIK) under JAR there is no rating or training requirement to undertake aeros.
The AOPA certificate is reasonably well recognized, but holds no privileges, as such.

An FI must gain the aerobatic authorization prior to teaching aerobatics, but the lack of a legal requirement means that a non-FI can teach aeros privately (and non-commercially).

Common sense says 'get adequate instruction before letting loose with the wifferdills', but legally you can just buy a Pitts and try to kill yourself (several have, but thats another story).

[foxmoth]

but legally you can just buy a Pitts and try to kill yourself

Not quite - in theory you could be done for endangering an aircraft. Certainly stupid to go straight into it without training, but that has been covered many times already.

[Zulu Alpha]

but legally you can just buy a Pitts and try to kill yourself

You can kill yourself in many other legal ways too.
You could buy a high powered motorcyle and kill yourself legally after getting a licence on something smalller.

I don't see why having a law would help things apart from making things more expensive...rules=examiners=ratings=cost.

I think common sense is the best way.

[G-EDDS]

I know when I first got into aeros the requirement, and I can only presume that it was a local requirement was to display the ability to recover from a fully developed spin. However, as I had just bought a share in an aerobatic aircraft and because members of the group who were extremely competent then the instructor was happy just to put the tick in the box once I had displayed that skill. I then underwent aeros training with other members of the share. Hope that helps!

[PC-6]

Thanks for the feedback guys!
Looks like the last thing is to find out is whether or not you can legally do aerobatics in a Swiss registered plane on a british licence...