Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences › Physical Sciences
Aerobatic Manoeuvres for Pilots Training
Description
This course equips pilots with the advanced skills and knowledge required to safely and competently perform aerobatic manoeuvres. It covers the theoretical principles of aerobatic flight, aircraft limitations, and emergency procedures, ensuring pilots can execute manoeuvres with precision and confidence while adhering to civil aviation regulations.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate pre-flight planning and aircraft inspection specific to aerobatic flight.
- Execute basic aerobatic manoeuvres including loops, rolls, and spins with proper technique.
- Analyze aircraft performance limitations and load factors during manoeuvres.
- Apply emergency recovery procedures for unusual attitudes and system failures.
- Evaluate personal physiological limits and manage G-force effects.
- Comply with South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) regulations for aerobatic operations.
Target Audience
This course is designed for licensed pilots seeking to add aerobatic endorsements to their qualifications, including those pursuing recreational, instructional, or competitive flying opportunities.
Prerequisites
Hold a valid Private Pilot License (PPL) or higher, with a minimum of 200 total flight hours.
Course Outline
Objectives:
• Understand the aerodynamic forces acting on an aircraft during manoeuvres
• Explain the effects of load factor and G-forces on the pilot and airframe
• Identify the key safety considerations for aerobatic flight
• Describe the basic control inputs for pitch, roll, and yaw
• Recognise the importance of energy management in aerobatics
Topics:
• Aerodynamics of manoeuvring flight
• Load factor, stall speeds, and G-tolerances
• Aircraft limitations and V-N diagram
• Pre-flight planning and safety briefings
• Use of controls: aileron, elevator, rudder
• Energy state: kinetic vs potential energy
Objectives:
• Execute a loop with correct entry, apex, and recovery
• Perform a slow roll while maintaining heading
• Demonstrate coordinated aileron and rudder inputs during rolls
• Manage airspeed and G-loading throughout each manoeuvre
• Identify common errors and corrective actions
Topics:
• Loop: entry speed, back pressure, apex, recovery
• Slow roll: aileron input, rudder coordination, nose attitude
• Barrel roll: combination of loop and roll
• Common mistakes: over-rotation, speed loss, disorientation
• Practice sequences and trim settings
Objectives:
• Recognise and recover from stalls in various configurations
• Execute a spin entry, incipient phase, and recovery
• Perform a hammerhead turn with precise vertical line and pivot
• Understand the aerodynamic differences between spins and spirals
• Apply recovery procedures for unusual attitudes
Topics:
• Stall recognition and recovery techniques
• Spin aerodynamics: autorotation, incipient, developed
• Spin recovery: PARE method (Power, Ailerons, Rudder, Elevator)
• Hammerhead: vertical line, pivot, recovery
• Spiral dive vs spin: identification and recovery
• Safety: altitude awareness and emergency procedures
Objectives:
• Fly a Cuban Eight with consistent radius and altitude gain
• Execute an Immelmann turn combining half-loop and half-roll
• Demonstrate split-S manoeuvre with proper entry and exit
• Maintain smooth control coordination throughout sequences
• Plan energy management for continuous manoeuvres
Topics:
• Cuban Eight: 45° downline, half-roll, pull-through
• Immelmann: half-loop to inverted, half-roll upright
• Split-S: half-roll inverted, half-loop down
• Energy conservation: throttle and pitch management
• Sequence planning for competition or display
• Common errors: altitude loss, asymmetric loops
Objectives:
• Design a basic aerobatic sequence following known figures
• Execute a sequence with smooth transitions and precise geometry
• Apply judging criteria for competition routines
• Manage G-loads and maintain situational awareness
• Demonstrate emergency recovery from any point in a sequence
Topics:
• Aresti notation: symbols and sequence construction
• Known, free, and unknown sequences
• Judging: positioning, symmetry, and flow
• Display safety: box dimensions, crowd lines, minimum altitudes
• Sequence practice: linking manoeuvres
• Emergency actions: abort points and recovery options
Objectives:
• Consolidate all manoeuvres into a coherent flight
• Demonstrate proficiency in a supervised aerobatic sortie
• Analyse own performance using video and telemetry
• Apply risk management and decision-making in aerobatics
• Prepare for formal competency assessment
Topics:
• Full sequence practice flight
• Debrief and performance analysis
• Risk management: weather, aircraft serviceability, pilot readiness
• Competency assessment criteria
• Post-flight documentation and logbook entries
• Continuous improvement and future training pathways
Practicals
Overview
Practical flight training is essential for pilots to develop the motor skills, spatial awareness, and muscle memory required to safely execute aerobatic manoeuvres. Supervised sorties allow learners to apply theoretical knowledge in the aircraft, receive immediate feedback, and build proficiency under the guidance of an experienced instructor.
Practical Activities
- Basic Manoeuvre Practice — Learner performs loops and slow rolls under instructor supervision, focusing on entry speed, control coordination, and recovery. (5h)
- Advanced Manoeuvre Practice — Learner practices stalls, spins, and hammerheads, with emphasis on spin recovery procedures and vertical line control. (5h)
- Precision Sequence Practice — Learner flies Cuban Eights, Immelmann turns, and split-S manoeuvres, linking them into a continuous sequence. (5h)
- Integrated Sequence and Assessment — Learner flies a full aerobatic sequence combining all manoeuvres, followed by debrief and performance analysis. (5h)
Summatives
Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course via daily exercises, scored practical assignments, and a final summative test at the end.
Practical Assignments — 30%
Practical assignments are observed and scored against a rubric during the practical sessions. Each delegate's practical mark is averaged into a single 100% score and contributes 30% to the final total.
Daily Exercises — 20%
Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 20% to the final total.
Final Test — 50%
On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 50% to the overall mark.
Final Total
| Component | Out of | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Practical Assignments (rubric-scored) | 100% | 30% |
| Daily Average (multiple choice) | 100% | 20% |
| Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) | 100% | 50% |
| Final Total | — | 100% |
All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.
Certificate
How it works
- Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
- Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
- You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
- If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it
Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.
Training Discounts
Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.
| Delegates | Discount |
|---|---|
| 5 | 3% off |
| 10 | 6% off |
| 15 | 9% off |
| 20 | 12% off |
| 25 | 15% off |
| 30 | 18% off |
| 50 | 30% off |
| 75 | 40% off |
| 100 | 40% off |
3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.
Let us know you're interested and we'll arrange a session that suits you.
Let us know you're interested and we'll arrange a session that suits you.
Let us know you're interested and we'll arrange a session that suits you.
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