NZFF

Hey guys soon one of my dads mates who is the lead pilot for the harvard display is taking me up for a joyride when they are next practicising for an airshow to do aerobatics and formation flying- I have been told to expect the unexpected

Have you done aerobatics before ??

Deane

Don't eat before hand.....haha.......enjoy!!!

never done aerobatics let alon doing them in a harvard

hi

i have never done aerobatics before but it would be a bit like going on the coca cola rola coaster at rainbows end in auckland lol i have done stalling and when the aircraft goes into a nose dive you seem to lose ur gut abit there lol so i can imagine that doing a loop and stuff in harvard would be worse then that lol but it should be alot of fun cause my dad had a flight in a harvard when he was in the service and he loved it, hope you enjoy yourself mate

Wow you fortunate guy h290! Be sure to gets some pictures before, and afterwards, and even during flight if you can. I can't wait to read your report

I have done aerobatics before, in both a Citabria and Pitts Special, and warn you, it feels a lot more intense that the old "coca cola rola coaster at rainbows end", in fact, you can distinctively hear me mention so during a loop the loop I videoed over the Hauraki Gulf here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=2udHrZPVJLA

Seriously though, it is quite hard to hold you camera up and take videos and photos while experiencing extreme G-Force for the first time, "tis quite an odd sensation, but if you're a bit of a thrill seeker (like me ) then you will love it! Don't be surprised to be feel really heavy, then really light and be asked to clench all your muscles by the pilot to stop blood running in and out of your head

I hope you have fun, it will be an experience you will remember for a lifetime. PS- eat bananas before hand, if the worst comes to the worst, they are the old food that taste the same coming up as they do doing down lol

I've done some basic aerobatic manoeuvres (well, been a passenger during them anyway) and like Trolly said, it's a bit more "extreme" than your average rollercoaster. In saying that, once you get over the initially somewhat unpleasant sensations of being flattened by positive g and feeling like you're leaving your stomach behind during sudden descents it becomes a load of fun. I'm definitely going to do an aerobatics rating when I've got all of my "regular" flying out of the way.

The reason I asked is that pilots rarely take passengers to practice aeros if the passenger has not done aeros before. In fact a Harvard pilot I knew insisted on removing the rear control stick as he had one passenger ( a pilot) who grabbed the stick and froze. he had to fight to re-gain control.

Aeros are nothing like the roller coaster, they are smoother, more sustained and a heap more G force. The big trick is to go with the flow, but to do that you need a pilot who tells you what he is doing next !!!

Having experienced aeros in Strikemaster, Airtrainer & Airtourers, I know people come out in one of two ways - smiling like mad as it is the best thing they have ever done, or swearing to never fly again. I'm sure you will be the former and have fun.

The first manoeuvre pulling g's will freak you a bit after that it will be fine

Enjoy and let us know how you get on

Deane

This site might help you out h290: http://www.pittsdriver.com/info/briefing.shtml

In the loops dont they pull 6g or something crazy this is in the harvard?

6g in a loop? only if they b*ggered it up! during my aerobatic course I was told by my instructor that it should be a 2g difference bottom to top ie if you pull 3g at the bottom then it should be around 1g at the top and back to 3g at the pullout etc, this would give a smooth round loop.

just remember to take a bag and DO NOT be afraid to use it if you are going to lose it.
your G tolerance is something that is built up with practice and can change from day to day. I have been fine for ages then one day not feeling 100% up to par have found myself breathing deep and thinking about practising vor tracking for awhile.

you will probably feel a bit of a light headed feeling and what almost feels like pins and needles - breathe deeply and if it gets really bad then TELL THE PILOT better to have to stop and land than spend ages picking your lunch out of the rudder pedals or worse - off the roof of the canopy!

One major tip - look out and keep your eyes on the horizon , it helps orient you and helps lessen the effects.

But most of all ENJOY IT! there is NOTHING better!

I will definately record some of it , and will try my best not to puke all over the canopy.