David-aviator
Well Known Member
Learning aerobatics will make you a better stick and rudder pilot than you are, even if you are a good stick and rudder pilot already. There is no ego in that statement. It's plain and simple truth, you will have a better feel for your aircraft under all flight regimes if you have training and experience flying in all fight regimes.
Aerobatics as a sport or hobby does attract a more risk taking type of personality, however. Don't let that fact influence your opinion about aerobatics as good training. I was not one of those types, it scared the cr*p out me at first, but I knew learning aerobatics would make me a better, safer pilot, so I stuck with it. Aerobatics done down low is what kills most people who die flying aerobatics. There is very little room for error, either pilot or malfunction type.
I also hold an ATP, and that training has also made me a better safer, pilot, in a different way.
More training in any endeavor is usually a good thing. You don't have to take a full blown aerobatics course to get better at avoiding stall/spin accidents, a simple stall/spin course of 2 or 3 hours could be invaluable in this. Once you develop a better "feel" for your aircraft as it nears critical angle of attack in various flight regimes, you will be a better, safer pilot.
There is no ego about this, I am well aware my airplane could care less about my ego, it can kill me just as easily no matter how good I think I am. So I try to stay well trained, and not get complacent.
No argument with you at all on the benefits of this type training but don't tell me ego does not play a role in GA accidents sometimes involving aerobatics.
Not all young pilots can afford aerobatic training nor is it required by the FAA so I will go back to a previous post and state again, safe flight can be achieved by developing an awareness of air speed to simply avoid the fatal stall/spin turning final. Some pilots manage air speed control and awareness of it very well, have no aerobatic training whatever, and fly an entire life time without incident.
Flying safe does not have to be a big expensive deal but it does require a knowledge of elements that can kill you and lousy air speed control is one of them.
This business is inherently risky and managing it is quite a challenge. I think about it and the age factor everyday. Riding a bike and flying are somewhat similar and would you believe I've quit riding a bike because any fall is serious but flying is still on the agenda. Does that make sense?
It does for the moment. But I wonder why, is it ego? I hope not, I genuinely love flight but for sure the box is getting smaller. Risk management, the perspective changes with time.