What do aerobatics feel like ? PLEASE!!!

Question

Im gonna start glider lessons soon, and i know gliders can preform some nice aerobatics! one problem though....I like flying , im kinda scared of heights, and the feeling of falling. I've never been in an aircraft that did aerobatics,. I want to know what it feels like. when you do tumble rolls , nose dives, flips, loops..is it scary like a roller coaster cuz i hate coasters!...I know i wont be doing these tricks in a while, but im pretty sure my instructor is gonna want to show me them in an intro flight.

So please any info on gliding aerobatics or aerobatics in general. Thanks

Answer 1

Aerobatics feels like having your most sensitive body areas tickled by three angels, with a kick in the stomach halfway through the process.

I'm sorry, but it's like water skiing: it really can't be described.  I can tell you that aerobatics in a glider is very different from the equivalent maneuvers in a powered airplane.  The G forces are much less, and the range of maneuvers you can do is a lot less extensive and radical.

You may be able to get some sense of what aerobatic maneuvers are like by going out on YouTube and watching some of the film clips made in the cockpit while famous aerobatic pilots perform the typical routines.  Start by searching for "patty wagstaff."

By the way, I would be surprised if an instructor would take time on an introductory flight to demonstrate aerobatics.  And remember that not all gliders/sailplanes are suitable for aerobatics, and not all instructors are qualified.

So it may not be an issue at all.  In any case, have fun!

Answer 2

It is so good to see a renaissance in gliding. I almost thought this art of flying had gone for good.

The ultimate in glider flying are aerobatics. However, you do need height and sometimes (rarely) experience negative Gs like in roller coasters. Tumble rolls and flips are not graceful enough for gliders, while the rest of the pattern can be flown beautifully. You need an aerobatic glider and be in a safe area with adequate height to start your maneouvers. Always clear the area around you and stay within the speed limits of the machine.

You start with dives by gently lowering a wing and letting your nose drop as far as you wish, levelling your wings and recovering from the ensuing dive. From here you can progress to a half roll on top of a loop or a complete loop itself. For this you need a landmark to orientate yourself (perhaps a road). Start your dive in the direction of the road and when sufficient speed has been built, smoothly pull up with wings level. Once inverted, you can roll out on either side and resume level flight. For a loop the same procedure is followed, but instead of rolling out on the top, you continue the maneouver and recover from the loop in the same direction you started. In a loop you ease some back pressure on the top, while pulling slightly back on the stick on the way down. You can try stall turns by raising you nose and letting the glider stall and once the nose drops ease off back pressure and resume normal flying. From this you can progress to a spin. Stall the aircraft and apply any one rudder and she will spin. To recover, check alierons neutral, apply opposite rudder to the direction of the spin and ease off on the back pressure. When the auto-rotation stops, neutralise the controls. You can do an aileron roll by going into a gentle dive, followed by raising your nose slightly above the horizon. Neutralise the elevators and smartly apply full aileron in the direction you wish to roll. Neutralise ailerons just short of approaching level flight and continue your flying. You can do a barrel roll by starting in the same way as the aileron roll, but instead of holding the nose steady on the horizon, you maintain a bit of back pressure while rolling. Your nose will transcribe a barrel on the horizon. To recover, neutralise controls as you approach level flight.

You can do chandelles, lazy eights, immlemans and cuban eights  which I will cover separately if you wish me to continue. I wish you all success and can assure you that you will enjoy this phase of gliding.

Answer 3

A fear of heights/falling normally doesn't translate into a fear of flying.  There is NO way your instructor should be introducing aerobatics to you on your first flight.  If he wants to, find another instructor-totally unprofessional.  You need to let him/her know though that you are somewhat apprehensive.  Realize that being comfortable in unusual attitudes may save your hinder some day, and those of your passengers, as you will be able to calmly and quickly react.

The positive and negative G in aerobatics, even in gliders is much more than a roller-coaster-which is about 1 1/2-2 positive and 1/2 negative.  

Answer 4

you'll be familiarized as a student with stalls, steep turns and possibly spins. Stalls can be a little unnerving at first because the aircraft will give the uninitiated the perception of falling out of the sky. Of course, the maneuver is practiced because you have to know what a stall is and how to avoid an unintentional stall. Just remember that you can recover from a stall with very little loss of altitude, and you won't be in any danger.

Steep turns are common in gliders, especially in close thermals, but instead of being lifted out of your seat, you are gently pushed down into it as a result of centrifugal force. Probably my favorite maneuver as a student.

If your aircraft is rated for spins, your instructor may demonstrate a spin, for the same reason as performing a stall. An intentional spin is an advanced maneuver, though. And if you don't like roller coasters, you might not like a spin, or aerobatics in general.

Other than those things, flying a glider will be a pleasant and confidence building experience. It's as much of a ride as you want to fly it.