Comments from a lesser experienced member ...
Being the Team member with the least aerobatic experience, I decided to chime in to give additional "newbie" perspective.
I will you a prior posting as the guide.
James Clark
"CB"
...............
Thats a great goal Steve. And its all doable. Any age, any experience level.
Step 1. Commit.
<<CB>> Once the Team decided to have every member this year have Statements of Aerobatic Competency (even though not REQUIRED for what will be done in "Charlie Flight"), it was time for me to decide whether or not I was "IN". After thinking it through, I informed myself that I wanted to do it and informed the Team that I was "IN!".
So the "commit" here is both to myself as well as to the Team. It takes a lot but this is serious business. You need to be prepared to GIVE a lot.
Step 2. Is the plane ready? Has it been put through the ringer? All the phase 1 stuff done and logged? If not, get an experienced pilot to do that. Im mean really ring it out. Shake loose rust, find bolts and nuts flying around the cockpit, determine if the stick is REALLY attached to all the flight controls Ect. You will be surprised what you and he will find needs dealing with.
<<CB>> Although aerobatic maneuvers were "good to go" in my plane, I wanted one of the Team members to be very "aware" of its handling. To be sure there were no surprises. So one of the guys took it up and declared that it was "good to go" for what we do. This was important for me as a "newbie" to not have worries about that as I do more and more training.
<<CB>> Not to mention, as mentioned we have at least two members review the condition of our planes each year before one is allowed to fly with the team. It is AMAZING what yet another set of eyes will find. Different people look closely at different things. If you are going to up close to another plane you want to know that is in good working order.
Step 3. Find a partner in crime. You will need local support from an experienced pilot. Does not have to be RV. Any Experienced acro pilot will do. But like any CFI type activity, you both have to be compatible with each other and the goals.
<<CB>> This is where we as a Team have a distinct advantage over most people. I know that **I** have an advantage! There are about a dozen guys around with WAY MORE EXPERIENCE than me who are WILLING TO HELP me through this. PRICELESS!
<<CB>> Several of the guys have flown with me and I have learned a lot from EACH ONE, even if it was only one flight. I have been spending the most time with Widget. He has spent many hours helping me past the boogey-men that are out there for me. What I mean by that is that I tend to be a belt/suspenders/duct tape/rope kinda guy. I want to know what any why. It tends to make me too mechanical until the light goes on. Then the confidence starts to kick in.
Step 4. Get dual in your plane. You can always get dual in some other plane. But there is nothing like being in your own with your own planes behavior, good and bad.
<<CB>> The other thing about the dual in YOUR plane is that when you go to practice solo, you can visualize the dual flights. You can hear the words of your "instructor". Your muscle memory develops for YOUR plane, which I believe will a little different from any other plane. AND, again for someone like me, it helps build confidence in the combination of you and your plane.
Step 5. Let your partner in crime get you comfortable to the point of comfortable solo in all maneuvers. Let his experience drive the pace and training. Make sure your still having fun!
<<CB>> To me this has been one of the most important points in my journey. We focus on one thing at a time and the notion of getting me not only comfortable, but to the point where when I don't do something right, I have a good idea as to WHY and HOW to make it better next time. Don't always do it better next time but I have an idea as to why. A recent round in the box with Smokey coaching on the radio led to a really "feel good" comment, even though I was doing quite lousy and kicking myself in the plane. He said over the radio .. " .. the good news is that you explained what you were doing wrong before I even got a chance to tell you ...". THAT was an important radio transmission for ME.
Step 6. Get in a box and practice, practice, practice with a spotter. This is where you will become one with your plane and achieve the nirvana you seek. Dont have a box? Make one! Start now. Do the paperwork. Its not that hard and Im happy to help. Changes in the requirements for boxes in 2013 have made life MUCH simpler to get these set up. Should take no more than 2 months now that the environmental study requirements have been removed.
<<CB>> Fortunately we have access to three boxes. One is fairly close to me (KSMS) and the person in charge (RB) is available just about any time I can get away from business stuff and the weather cooperates. This is invaluable once you get beyond the basics.
Step 7. Take steps every week to move forward in your training.
<<CB>> As one might expect, this is important. My plane was down and the weather was bad enough to keep me grounded for two weeks. WOW!! Felt like I was starting all over again. Took several times up to get back "in the groove" of prior times. Now, what I try to do is make sure I get up many times a week, even if it is ONLY to go a few miles south and do a roll before dark and return. Trying to keep my head, body and spirit "IN THE GAME".
This is a pretty good short list of the steps necessary. Sure we could fill in paragraphs of this or that. But dont make it too complicated. Its not.
<<CB>> As the guys have told me, a key is PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.
CB ...
Bringing up the rear.
And actually starting to enjoy it! (But don't tell Kahuna!!!
)