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Type Resume

Should you want personalised aerobatic coaching the following menu of types are all described to give you an insight into the relevant aerobatic characteristics. There is no restriction on the type of aerobatic aircraft that can be used for coaching! Whether you already own a machine or simply want to enjoy the challenge, the effectiveness of Skyhawk Aerobatics training can be delivered to your doorstep.

Tiger Moth: What a glorious mixed metaphor for a training machine. Certainly flies as dainty as a moth but has the temperament of a tiger if you don't pay attention. The old saying is true 'if you fly a Tiger well you can fly anything well'. It has lots of limitations in today's world - not least being confined to grass fields and preferably into wind if you can manage it..! Classic aerobatics is a pleasure provided you don't mind waiting a week for it to aileron roll.

Stampe: A better version of the Tiger with crisper response in pitch and roll - but you still need goggles and scarf especially in UK climates. My preference is the Gipsy powered model with slightly more horses than the standard Renault and not quite so fragile. A wonderful machine for learning how to use your feet properly and wiping oil of the belly.

de Havilland ChipmunkChipmunk: My favourite out of the (ah!) De Havilland family. A real gentleman's carriage with the best harmonised controls in the business. Comes with the burden along with other V & V types of being expensive to maintain and get spare parts. Still capable of beating newer brethren in Standard Class if flown with style and sensitivity.

Stolp Starduster: An American idea of a Sportsman class biplane. The biggest benefit being a Flat Four engine - especially the larger IO-360 with CSU and inverted system. Definitely more breeze in the P1 cockpit than the relative calm of the front seat. You don't have to clean the oil off each time but still not easy to well fly. Lacks pitch authority inverted. An excellent machine for learning tailwheel techniques. What's more it has brakes that work...?

Fournier RF4/5: Difficult to maintain nowadays but by far the cheapest way of learning the art. Disconcerting when trying to roll but capable of lovely graceful figures in keeping with its sailplane shape. The RF4 particularly has the best short throw control movements I have encountered other than sidestick 'toggles'.

Sljngsby T-67 FireflySlingsby T67 Series: Like the Fournier (from which it bred) has the characteristic sailplane handling but with all the advantages of modern composite build and reliable powerplants. I think it provides a really useful platform for learning aerobatics in comfort coupled with reasonable performance (especially the -C & M200 versions). Side-by-side cockpit is useful for direct instruction but on balance prefer centre-line seating (tandem) for real pilot development.

Scottish Aviation BulldogBeagle Pup/Bulldog: Another machine with the benefit of direct instruction (side-by-side) coupled with delightful balanced handling. The 100 is underpowered and the Bulldog is not well trimmed (being ex-military). My favourite is the 150.

 

Robin 2150: A compromise design to get the best of ab-initio qualities with limited aerobatic handling. As a result it is directionally stable and again has little pitch authority upside down. This makes aileron rolls an exercise in getting the right amount of lift inverted to support the machine and easy to run out of forward elevator. Good for an introduction to classic figures but hard to develop beyond that. On the plus side it is nosewheel and more likely to appeal to mainstream private pilots who don't want to convert just yet to tailwheel.

Cessna C-152Cessna 152: Absolute Bread & Butter qualities available to virtually everyone who has a licence. Very easy to fly and no vices in basic aerobatic figures. I don't like them much.
For me the biggest drawback is not being able to see a lot past the high wing in pitch ups. Always helps to see where you are going to end up ahead of time...? Its low power does teach you the basics of energy management though.

Fuji 200: A well equipped aerobatic tourer. A very comfortable classroom but not ideal for developing manouevre skills. Quite heavy to fly and doesn't have the requisite visibility out the front.

AS202 Bravo: A similar concept to the Fuji but a good all round canopy and slightly better ailerons. Built for military ab-initio and gives a much greater sense of security than the Fuji. Still is a weight training exercise rather more than an effective aerobatic machine.

Pitts S2 Series: For many the ultimate biplane and getting close to the current generation of aerobatic superplanes. On the plus side: plenty of power to weight with very precise control input needed especially on the rudder. Can be unforgiving of handling errors especially at slow speed and high power but a great tool for advancing the art of aerobatics (up to intermediate/advanced level depending on variant used). On the downside, its not called the 'coal-hole' for nothing and takes a bit to crack the landing (so to speak). Very short coupled, which makes for a lively time on uneven ground. Otherwise a great carefree aerobatic machine in the air.

Yak 52: If you are into flying suits, bone domes and highly visible aircraft, this one is for you. I like the presence of a Yak rather than its ability. It's not bad at teaching the basics but obviously has more mass and inertia than its civilian brethren and can be hard work hauling around a competition sequence. Otherwise carefree in terms of a bulletproof engine either way up and reliable systems for as long as you reserve some attention to dials. Incidentally, I should say OLD flying suits as this is the proverbial oil bath once it's back on the ramp.

Zlin Trener series: A purist delight in that it combines the grace and style of the Fournier with the direct feel only Omnipol could achieve with almost frictionless pushrod controls. It's a pity there are not many about these days and certainly attention has to be paid to airframe fatigue and g limits. My favourite is the 226 as it is the lightest and simplest to operate (no folding wheels). Not entirely without engine limits either and hard to maintain. Wonderful training machine for classic figures and a great mount for learning the skills of energy management needed for graduating up the scale to more complex warbird types.

CAP 10 series: In my opinion the perfect vehicle for people transferring from standard nosewheel to tailwheel. Simple to fly and terrific cockpit visibility. Wooden versions were easy to overstress but I'm told the 10c is much more carefree. Lovely crisp control response and an excellent introduction to classic aerobatics or simply graduating up to the modern generation of composite monoplanes.

NDN-1 Fox: By far the most capable glider I have experienced for aerobatic training. Familiar difficulty in rolling and not unlike the Fournier RF4 but can achieve an extraordinary amount in 3000 feet of headroom. Typical 'lie back and enjoy' cockpit with good ergonomics and a very secure harness which is just as well - imagine my surprise at negative snap rolls - not bad for a sailplane...

Yak 54: Relative newcomer to the world of unlimited capable training aircraft and ideal for exploring the state-of-the-art aerobatic figures. Conventional metal construction coupled with dependable 400 horsepower radial ensures plenty of action available. Needs attention to detail to ensure accurate flight and in my view oversensitive on the ailerons when tackling gust response. A good training mount for the advanced practitioner.

Extra 300LExtra 300 Series: The best production aircraft available for tuition in aerobatics. User friendly and completely forgiving in nature but can still manage a wild ride if needed. Sharp response gradient in all three axes, especially in roll. Fully convertible for competition nuts as well as basic aerobatic figures - you don't have to be a 'g' freak to get plenty of satisfaction. The baby -200 version is great for school training but lacks the sharp edge of the bigger brother.

 

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