Aerobatic Flying Experiences

Flying is one of the safest form of transport. All aircraft are maintained and controlled to current CAA legislation and all aircraft are inspected before each flight. All instructors are fully qualified pilots (many are ex RAF and/or current commercial airline pilots), who undertake regular pilot licence re-validation by authorised flight examiners and are fully rated and qualified to fly aerobatics.

In aviation, acceleration is described in units of the force called 'Gs". On the ground the gravity we experience is 1 G. Even on a commercial airliner flight, you feel the G force at the moment of acceleration in a straight line to take off. It pushes you back into the seat, so it's +G. Being pushed forward (for example when you land) is -G. And of course, the higher the number of G the more extreme your flight is!

Oh yes. Despite the fact that we, as human beings, are adapted to be at 1 G, if you're mad enough to want to go on an aerobatic experience, you certainly will be experiencing life at + and - Gs, whilst your pilot executes a fine sequence of tumbles, rolls and spins. Don't worry, you'll be securely strapped in, so inverted flight will be a doddle!

Well, that's a good question. Your pilot instructor will only perform aerobatics if you are feeling OK and you want to do it. As one of our flight school instructors says: 'If you prefer to fly straight and level and look at the clouds rather than trying to rip the wings off the plane, that's fine!' The pilots will also give you some tips for coping with G forces, such as lifting your feet off the floor of the plane, holding onto the shoulder straps and looking out of the cockpit to the horizon.

No. A plane needs to be specially adapted for aerobatics. They need things like header tanks and flop tubes to make sure fuel can get to the engine when in inverted flight. Of course, all the aeroplanes offered on these experiences are designed and built for aerobatics.

We've got aerobatic flights in all sorts of aircraft, including the high-wing monoplane Decathlon and the low-wing Slingsby Firefly, which are both often used as aerobatics trainers. Then there's the wonderful crowd-pleasing Pitts Special bi-plane and the very rare Xtreme Air XA42. You can even do tricks in a vintage Stampe or Chipmunk, proving there's plenty of life left in those old wonders yet. But the most powerful of aerobatics planes has to be the Extra 300s. You'll need to hang on to your shoulder straps for a flight in one of these!

Probably! Aerobatic flying is the ultimate in aviation and a totally unique experience. It is so different to being a passenger on your typical airline flight. It is totally immersive and you will be amazed at just what aerial stunts these little sports planes are capable of.

Without doubt the Extra 300. It might look like a fairly sweet and innocent little low-wing monoplane, but once you're strapped in and airborne, you'll realise that this machine is the boss. This is the plane for competition aerobatics and air races. When being flown solo this aircraft's maximum g-force is +10/-10 G and with a passenger onboard it's +8/-8 G. It has a climb rate of 3300ft per minute, which means it is almost vertical. This agile, fast and manoeuvrable plane can do any aerobatic move you can think of!

Oh yes. They undertake specific training to be able to perform aerial stunts and tricks. If you want to fly at public air displays you need an Unlimited Displays Authorisation and many of the pilots who fly these experiences have this. Some of them are even ex Red Arrows pilots and many are working commercial airline pilots too, so they are pretty experienced at this flying lark.

Once the pilot has checked you're ready and up for it, you might start with a nice loop the loop. Depending on how you find that, some more inverted flight in the form of a barrel roll might follow. If you're really keen, you might go for a full aerobatic sequence, where you link manoeuvres just like at an air display show. And if you're in the Extra, expect gyroscopic moves like the Ruade when you climb at 45degrees, tip to the side and then tumble over the nose!

In tandem aircraft like the Firefly, Pitts and Extra you will be in the front seat in front of the pilot. In the aircraft like the Decathlon and the CAP10 you sit side-by-side.

No problem. You will be equipped with a headset so you can communicate with your pilot, even if they are sitting behind you. Just say the word and they will return to straight and level flight and head back to land if needs be.

Wear casual clothes you feel comfortable in. Some aerobatics schools provide flying suits for these experiences.

Restrictions will vary from one aircraft to another, but in general there's a maximum height of between 6ft 1" and 6ft 4", with maximum weight between 15 and 17 stone. Please make sure you check each individual aerobatics experience page to see the restrictions for each type of plane/flight.

Friends and family are more than welcome to spectate and witness your first foray into the wild world of aerobatic flying! Many of our locations offer a club house or even an outside terrace area where guests can watch start up, taxi and take off, before gazing in total admiration at the aerial stunts being performed!

In many cases yes. It is subject to conditions on the day and your instructor being in agreement. In general, once you've reached straight and level flight, you might well be allowed to fly the aircraft yourself and even try a few moves maybe.

Aerobatic flying is quite a specialised activity, so experiences are available at selected flying centres around the country. To date, we have aerobatics flights at locations such as:

• Redhill Airport
• Bicester Heritage
• Shoreham Brighton Airport
• Thruxton Airport
• Sibson Aerodrome Peterborough
• Chichester
• Blackpool Airport
• White Waltham near Maidenhead
• Goodwood Aerodrome
• Coventry Airport
• Damyns Hall Upminster