General A candidate may commence the course at any time after qualifying for the AOPA Basic Aerobatic Certificate. There are no minimum pre-entry hour or time requirements to enter the course of training The syllabus is the result of a collaboration between AOPA and the BAeA (British Aerobatics Association). It will allow pilots who pass the Flight Competency Test to take part in a BAeA Standard Aerobatic Competition Most flying clubs and schools will recognise this certificate and should only require the pilot to complete an aircraft conversion and/or competency check before being cleared for aerobatics in the club/school aerobatic aircraft There are no revalidation requirements but common sense and flight safety would dictate that any pilot not in current aerobatic practice (eg. not flown aerobatics within 28 days) should complete a dual flight with an aerobatic qualified instructor before flying solo aerobatics		Pitts S2C (left) - popular aerobatic mount for pilots competing at Standard level aerobatic competitions
	Edge 540 (right) and Sukhoi SU26 (below) - modern aerobatic aeroplanes for the serious aerobatic pilot Firefly T67M (below right) - a typical flying school aerobatic aeroplane
Training The training will include:- 6 hours dual flight instruction (Pilots who already have some aerobatic experience may qualify for a reduction in the flying hours) 6 hours theoretical knowledge training Recoveries from all manoeuvres must be completed by a minimum of 1000 ft above the surface, and a maximum height must also be observed of 500 ft below the base of regulated airspace. Greater margins are likely to be wise until adequate experience has been gained	Sukhoi SU26	Firefly T67M

Flight Competency Test

Pass a Flight Competency Test with an instructor who is registered with AOPA for the purpose of conducting such tests

• Engine/Airframe - knowledge of limitations and safety aspects
• Pre-Flight Procedures
• Climbing and Descending 45º lines
• Precision Spin from level deceleration or after climbing line
• Quarter Clover rolling upwards or Wingover
• Half Cuban 8
• Half Reverse Half Cuban 8
• Recovery from mishandled Stall Turn
• Stall Turn with 1/4 roll down
• Split-S
• Two Point Roll
• Four Point Roll
• Hesitation Loop
• Standard Sequence - recommended 8 to 10 manoeuvres/figures (ideally the BAeA Standard Known Sequence)
• Overall Airmanship

Exemptions

Candidates who already have reasonable aerobatic experience and who wish to obtain an AOPA aerobatic certificate may apply for a flight competency test. A satisfactory standard of performance on this test will be accepted as meeting the requirements for the issue of the AOPA aerobatic certificate.

Application for AOPA Aerobatic Certificate

Candidates who have passed the flight competency test may apply for the certificate. An application form completed by the candidate, signed by the instructor who has given the training and the person who completed the Flight Competency Test along with a fee must be sent to AOPA at the address below:

AOPA Administration Secretary

50a Cambridge Street

London SW1V 4QQ

References

AOPA (UK) Aerobatic Certificate Course Syllabus - Standard

Instructional Techniques for the FI by John Halstead and Alan Newton (click here for details)

Basic Aerobatics by R D Campbell and B Tempest

Conquest of Lines and Symmetry by Duane Cole

Royal Air Force Manual Flying AP3456 Volume 5

General Aviation Safety Sense Leaflet No:19 Aerobatics
Better Aerobatics by Alan Cassidy