Tue 2 Jan 2007
What a thrill! I’m almost speechless. Earlier today I flew my first aerobatic training flight. Bill Hightower, my instructor, and I went out in West Valley Flying Club’s Super Decathalon (N65SE) and he showed me aerobatic flight. First he would do a maneuvre, then he’d talk me through how he did it, then I would try. We practiced a few barrel rolls, loops, hammerhead turns, and to finish it off Bill turned the plane upside down and we flew inverted for half a minute.
Sadly, I have no pictures of the actual flight, I was too busy keeping the plane and my stomach, well… under control. I do, however, have a shot of the G-meter showing that we pulled about 3 positive Gs during the loop, and -1 G during inverted flight. Oh yeah, the FAA recommends we wear parachutes!
Also, before the aerobatic flight I did take-offs and landings in Citabria (N374DM) and I finally got the hang of tail-dragger wheel landings. Bill signed my tail-wheel endorsement, but I still need more practice before I start flying airshows. Not a bad way to start the new year.