How safe is aerobatics?
Many (most?) people contemplating getting involved in aerobatics feel a bit apprehensive at first. By it’s very nature, aerobatics involves risks that are not involved in non-aerobatic flight. But as with most anything else in aviation, it is only as safe or dangerous as the pilot makes it. Discipline, planning, common sense, and knowledge are basic prerequisites to safety. Aerobatics can be quite safe if certain safety rules are followed religiously. Examples include: • Get proper training, especially in all types of spins and botche maneuvers. • Fly at a safe and conservative altitude. • Know your equipment and yourself, and keep both well maintained. • Don’t overstress the airplane (and never fly aerobatics in non-aerobatic aircraft). • Always perform a proper, thorough aerobatic preflight. • Set and observe strict personal limits (altitude, g-limits, flight duration, health, etc). • Stay current and take recurrency check rides. • Don’t run out of fuel! (should be obvious, but it ha
