Aerobatics

[B4aeros]

Thanks BEagle, good to know that it's being worked on.

I notice from this AOPA UK page that competent but un-certificated pilots such as Torque Tonight should have a reasonable route to an EASA aerobatic rating:

A candidate who already has reasonable aerobatic experience, who wishes to obtain any of the AOPA Aerobatic Certificates can do so by applying for a flight competency test with any qualified instructor who is registered with AOPA for the purpose of conducting such tests.

Not perfect, but manageable.

[Torque Tonight]

Useful info. Thanks chaps.

[BEagle]

".....Bring your chequebook, electronic transfer would be even better (we'll keep your data on file) and we'll smile nicely as your money comes our way"

A bit like paying $14 for approval for travelling to the so-called 'land of the free' - and finding that payment by credit card is the only possible payment method...... Of course Uncle Spam won't put your details in some database, will he...... ?

[Justiciar]

Whilst it is difficult to believe that there will not be some form of credit for experienced aerobatic pilots towards the aerobatics rating, there are no procedures included in the EASA 'Opinion' and time is running short to get them included. The fact is that grandfathering is not particularly high on the agenda as most EU member states already issue an aerobatic rating and, therefore, don't need grandfather rights. It will be easier to arrange credit for ex-military pilots for the aerobatic rating as these arrangements are left to the national authorities to determine.

This is a typical EASA c*ck up and perhaps those negotiating with them need to adopt more overt signs of naked contempt for the whole process and those who have drafted these regulations. Te fact that they may not come in until 2015 is of little comfort as it merely postpones the awful day. The position appears to be that:

• They have not said how instructors for the new rating will be created as currently of course no one is qualified to train or instruct for it and there are no transitional arrangements or provisions for grandfather rights in Part FCL!
• the rating only applies to EASA aircraft, so Annex II are unaffected
• you will still need a form of national licence to fly Annex II
• the CAA plan to make local regulations to validate an EASA licence for Annex II in UK airspace, but that means you won't be able to fly your tiger moth to France without some form of reciprocal arrangement in place in France, Germany, Holland etc
• those who don't have or want an EASA licence will still need a national licence to fly Annex II (which includes gliders, microlights etc)

The result of this dog's breakfast is that you can fly aerobatics without a rating on a permit aircraft (including Extra 230, Christen Eagle, Pitts S1S, Chipmunk, Tiger Moth, some S2As, Yak 50/52, Spitfire!) but will require this "solution looking for a problem" rating to fly aeros in an S2B/C, Super Decathlon, Extra 300, Cap 10, Bolkow Junior (those on C of A as opposed to permit) and S1s and S2As which are on C of A currently.

[FlyingKiwi_73]

Talking about puking as you do, has anyone actually felt nauseous at the controls? The only time I ever did, and I've done plenty of aeros and all the other good pukeable stuff, was when I did a long 6 hourish glider flight at mostly highish altitude without O2, between 8 and 9 thousand feet and I was having to work fairly hard at staying there. I had the vomit rush, you know the dry retch (sorry if you're eating lunch) every minute or so for a good half hour towards the end. Never been able to figure that one out, as passenger jets have a cabin altitude of 8,000 or so and I've never felt nauseous in one of those.

Yep happened to me at barely 2000ft, i felt hot nauseous and was reaching for the vents, had pax on board and did not want to alarm, no turbulence and plenty to look at (no flat spaces, merging horizons)
Its happend twice to me and in both times i've made a beeline back to the airfeild, in the process of making the call, getting into decent and circuit i feel much better when i'm occupied?

I've heard some people get some thing called 'breakaway' where its an onset of vertigo in the cockpit, all though i don't get vertigo i have had the nuasea.

I have done some aerobatics, not a huge fan but never felt sick?