Aerobatic aeroplanes are classed as either Part 21 or non-Part 21
DHC1 Chipmunk (above) non-Part 21 (Annex 1)		T67M Firefly (above) Part 21 Pitts S2S (left) Part 21

General

Part FCL licence holders with privileges to fly aeroplanes or TMGs shall undertake aerobatic flights only if they hold an aerobatic rating in accordance with FCL.800

The holder of a United Kingdom national licence or NPPL(A) first issued before 30 September 2025 does not require to hold an aerobatic rating to undertake aerobatic flights

The holder of a United Kingdom national licence or NPPL(A) first issued after 30th September 2025 is not entitled to act as pilot in command of an aeroplane whilst aerobatic manoeuvres are conducted unless the licence includes an aerobatic rating in accordance with UK Air Navigation Order, Schedule 8, Part 2, Chapter 2

The above requirements are the same for flights in Part 21 and Non-Part 21 aeroplanes

Definition

UK Air Navigation Order
Aerobatic manoeuvres includes loops, spins, rolls, bunts, stall turns, inverted flying and any other similar manoeuvre intentionally performed by an aircraft

Part FCL
Aerobatic flight means an intentional manoeuvre involving an abrupt change in an aircraft’s attitude, an abnormal attitude, or abnormal acceleration, not necessary for normal flight or for instruction for licences, certificates, or ratings other than the aerobatic rating

Pre-Course Entry

Applicants for an aerobatic rating shall have completed after the issue of the licence, at least 30 hours of flight time as PIC in aeroplanes or TMGs

Ground / Flight Training

Complete a training course at a DTO or at an ATO, including:

(i)  theoretical knowledge instruction appropriate for the rating

(ii)  at least 5 hours of aerobatic instruction in aeroplanes or TMGs flown with engine power

Qualification

The DTO or ATO shall issue a certificate of satisfactory completion of the instruction prior to application for licence endorsement

References

AOPA (UK) Basic Aerobatic Certificate Course Syllabus
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 Aerobatic
SERA
Air Navigation Order (ANO)
Part FCL including AMC and GM

Privileges

The privileges of the aerobatic rating shall be limited to aerobatic flight in either aeroplanes or TMGs flown with engine power, depending on which aircraft the Pre-Course Entry and Ground / Flight Training were completed on

This limitation shall be lifted upon application if a pilot has successfully completed at least 3 dual training flights in aeroplanes or TMGs flown with engine power, as applicable, covering the full aerobatic training syllabus

Regulations

SERA.3130 Aerobatic Flight

Aerobatic flights shall only be carried out in accordance with:

(a) Union legislation or, where applicable, national legislation for aircraft operations regulated by Member States

(b) as indicated by any relevant information, advice and/or clearance from the appropriate air traffic services unit

The Air Navigation Order 2016 and Regulations, The Rules of the Air Regulations 2015, Section 3, General Rules, Collision Avoidance and Protection of Persons and Property

Aerobatic Flights

Aerobatic flight is not permitted:

(a) over the congested area of any city, town or settlement

Conversion Requirements for Aerobatic Privileges exercised on UK National / JAR-FCL Licence
(CAP 804 Part 1 Secton 4 Part P)

To apply for an aerobatic rating the applicant shall:

1. Have received the theoretical knowledge specified in AMC1 FCL.800, and sign to that effect on their application
AND
2. Comply with any one of the following:

(a) Pilots who hold or have held a UK Display Authorisation, which includes/included authorisation to perform aerobatics at a display, shall submit a copy of the Display Authorisation

(b) Pilots who have completed aerobatic training with the United Kingdom military forces (other than the British Army) shall submit evidence of having completed satisfactorily, either:

(i) the UK RAF Elementary Flying Training course
OR
(ii) the UK RN Elementary Flying Training course
OR
(iii) a UK military Basic Fast Jet Flying Training course

(c) Pilots who have flown aerobatic manoeuvres at a BAeA sanctioned event (including glider events) shall provide evidence (other than log book records) of having flown aerobatic manoeuvres at such an event

(d) Pilots with FI(A) or AFI(A) ratings that have had the “no aerobatic restriction” removed following compliance with UK requirements to instruct aerobatics

(e) Glider pilots who have completed any of the BGA’s aerobatic courses shall submit evidence of satisfactory completion of the course

3. Aerobatic ratings may also be granted to pilots who apply on the basis of experience of flying aerobatics alone if they:

(a) Provide certified log book evidence of at least 5 hours of aerobatic flying in aeroplanes or gliders that have airworthiness certification for at least the manoeuvres specified in AMC1 FCL.800
AND
(b) Demonstrate to an instructor with the privilege to instruct in aerobatics (see note)

(i) the aerobatic manoeuvres listed in AMC1 FCL.800
AND
(ii) evidence of having the theoretical knowledge specified in AMC1 FCL.800 and provide with their application a statement from that instructor that they completed those manoeuvres competently and safely and have the requisite knowledge

Note: The instructor shall be an FI or FI(Restricted) on aeroplanes who holds aerobatic privileges in accordance with FCL.905.FI(g), or a CRI(A) who complies with the requirements of FCL.905.CRI(a)(2)

Revalidation / Renewal

There are no revalidation / renewal requirements