Aerobatic flight means an intentional maneuver involving an abrupt change in an aircraft's attitude, an abnormal attitude, or abnormal acceleration, not necessary for normal flight
Aerobatics enhance confidence and understanding of practical aerodynamics and a sense of feel
Maintaining control will be due to an innate "sense of feel" which is developed through practical experience
Maneuvers are written to be mechanical on paper but are actually much more fluid
If pilots were acrobats we'd wear tights, instead of flight suits. Its AERObatic
Aerobatic Flight:
Pilots should be aware of the physiological stresses associated with accelerative forces during maneuvers
Rapid pull-up maneuvers result in the blood and body organ displacement toward the lower part of the body away from the head
Since the brain requires continuous blood circulation for an adequate oxygen supply, there is a physiologic limit to the time the pilot can tolerate higher forces before losing consciousness
The pilot will experience "narrowing" of visual fields, "gray-out," "black-out," and unconsciousness
In steep turns, the centrifugal forces tend to push the pilot into the seat, resulting in the same physiologic effects and symptoms
Forces experienced with rapid pushover maneuvers result in the blood and body organs being displaced toward the head causing discomfort, headache, "red-out," and unconsciousness
Conversely, the opposite may happen causing blood lost to the brain causing "gray" or "black-outs"
The pilot should consult an Aviation Medical Examiner prior to aerobatic training and be aware that poor physical condition can reduce tolerance to accelerative forces
Physiologically, humans progressively adapt to imposed strains and stress, and with practice, any maneuver will have decreasing effect
Tolerance to G-forces is dependent on human physiology and the individual pilot
These factors include the skeletal anatomy, the cardiovascular architecture, the nervous system, the quality of the blood, the general physical state, and experience and recency of exposure
Coping with G-Forces:
It is important to understand the methods of "counteracting" these effects
There are numerous references on the subject of G forces during aerobatics available to pilots
Amazon, U.S. Navy Blue Angels Demonstration TeamAmazon, U.S. Navy Blue Angels Demonstration Team
Conclusion:
Many prospective aerobatic trainees enthusiastically enter aerobatic instruction but find their first experiences with G forces to be unanticipated and very uncomfortable
To minimize or avoid potential adverse effects, the aerobatic instructor and trainee must have a basic understanding of the physiology of G force adaptation
Even a brief loss of consciousness in a maneuver can lead to improper control movement causing structural failure of the aircraft or collision with another object or terrain
Avoid rolling pulls whereby you roll and pull together
This is inefficient and can bend the aircraft
Instead, do one, then the other
Be mindful of the nose (acceleration)
Aircraft will accelerate quickly when the nose cuts down through the horizon, and often, aerobatic-specific aircraft exacerbate that condition due to their aerodynamics and power-to-weight ratio design
"Think nose-down, power-down"
Consider practicing maneuvers on a flight simulator to introduce yourself to maneuvers or knock off rust
