One step closer!!

[Boss_BlueAngels]

To aerobatics that is!!!  I was surprised the other day to find out there is a fellow up in Arlington (about 30 minute drive) who teaches a 10 hour course in beginning aerobatics!  The whole thing costs about $1400.   It really isn't too bad, also includes 15 hours flight/ground instruction.  The airplane is a 2002 Citabria 160HP... should do the job.   It's always been my dream to do aerobatics!

Also, this guy offers training in warbirds (P-51, P-40, Nanchang CJ-6, and a huge list), formation training and small jets like a Fouga!  

He seems like a cool guy, runs the flight school all by himself and is into aviation strictly for the FUN of it! haha  


Anyway, as soon as I get those three letters, "C, F, I" added to my title, I'm heading up to see this guy and start some "sky dancing"!!  

I asked him about intermediate/advanced stuff and suggested I go to either Bud or Ross Granley!  They are quite well known airshow pilots (particularly here in the Northwest) and have thousands of hours doing airshows.  Bud flies just about every warbird there is, including jets, and flys a nice red YAK aerobatic plane along with his T-6!  He is operates out of an airport about 45 minutes away!  How COOL is that?!

It'd be so sweet to be able to learn from someone like this!


So yeah, my current plans include finishing my commercial rating within the next two months, my CFI before September and then finishing that aerobatic course before school starts in late Sept!

[beaky]

Outstanding!!
You are gonna love it, and you will feel that much more confident-not cocky, just confident- as a pilot.
One of the coolest things about aerobatic flight in a plane built for that purpose is that you get a chance to do things that would probably get you killed in an ordinary light aircraft, and if, heaven forbid, you find yourself in a "situation" some day, you may have a slight edge because you'll have "been there" before.
 I only took an hour of aerobatic dual (Zlin 242- yowza!!), and it definitely enhanced my basic awareness of airplane performance. Did it in two parts: the first half was loops and rolls and the second 1/2 hour was mostly coordination exercises and upset-recovery techniques applicable to the C172. If that sort of thing is not already part of the class, you might want to check that out.
...and did I mention you're gonna love it?

BTW, I think you're smart to take care of the other ratings first; I doubt I'll take more aerobatics until I'm at the same point.
Well, maybe a joyride in a T-6; there's a guy based at nearby solberg who offers short flights w/stick time for a reasonable fee...