Red Baron Flight Training is Sydney’s premier aerobatic training institution. Many of Australia’s best-known aerobatic champions are Red Baron Flight Training graduates.

Here at Red Baron Flight Training we are passionate about aerobatics. Noel Kruse, the founder of the school, was often asked why he considered three-dimensional flying, or aerobatics, to be a necessary component of flying training. His answer is simple: a pilot who can perform even the basic aerobatic manoeuvres is a more confident, competent pilot; even in non-aerobatic aircraft.

All the World’s Air Forces conduct this style of training, and airlines prefer Air Force trained pilots for this very reason. Even though a percentage of pilots inducted into the airlines do not come from the Air Force, the airlines prefer their pilots to have some aerobatic experience.

For over 30 years the light aircraft market has been swamped with cheap (subsidised), non-aerobatic, American touring aircraft, which have rapidly found their way on to the flight lines of most flying schools. The result is that pilot training has become limited to the two dimensional, straight-and-level environment of these aircraft. Now those trainees are flying instructors themselves and are passing their limited view of flying to their students.

Today, many flying Instructors get sweaty palms above 45 degrees of bank, shake more than the aircraft at the point of a stall and run the other way at the mere mention of a spin! In short, their inhibitions render them incapable of giving effective flight instruction in those very things that should be taught and which demand good flight instruction. Red Baron Flight Training are dedicated to reversing this trend.

Whether you have a GFPT, a PPL or a CPL, you may wish to develop your aerobatic skills and advanced handling techniques further. Prior to undertaking aerobatic training at Red Baron Flight Training, students must be a graduate of either our GFPT course or, if you have attained your GFPT at another flying school, our Advanced Aircraft Control course. These courses provide pilots with a basic aerobatics rating and all the handling skills necessary to begin serious aerobatic training.

Aerobatic training is conducted in phases. The GFPT or AAC courses constitute Phase One. Phase Two contains advanced rolling techniques. Phase Three consolidates techniques and skills learned into flying combination manoeuvres and Phase Four focuses on low-level aerobatics. Aerobatic training is conducted in the Robin 2160.

Phase Two and Three

Each manoeuvre in Phase Two and Three is individually endorsed so you can fly as many practice flights as you need between each dual lesson- at least one solo practice session is recommended. Each new manoeuvre builds on the one taught before, so by the end of Phase Three, you will have mastered an aerobatic sequence made up of all the manoeuvres you have learned.

Phase Two: Advanced Rolling

1. Stall Turns
2. Barrel Rolls
3. Flick (snap) Rolls
4. Slow Rolls

Phase Three: Combination Manoeuvres

1. Competition Spin
2. Half Cuban Eight
3. Roll off the top of loop
4. Split S
5. Half reverse Cuban eight

Phase Four: Low Level Aerobatics

Phase Four concentrates on flying an aerobatic sequence at altitudes below 3000 feet. Tuition concentrates on energy management, geographic positioning and orientation. At the conclusion of Phase Four, pilots will be recommended for a C.A.S.A. Low Level Aerobatics Approval to 1500ft. Once you have successfully gained these endorsements, you may wish to step up to the Pitts S2A aerobatic bi-plane, learn more complicated competition manoeuvres and routines, and train in formation aerobatics. It is then possible to proceed to advanced aerobatics training and competitions in our Extra 200 and Extra 300 aircraft.

PHASE FIVE: PITTS S2A UPGRADE

Phase Five is available to those pilots who have demonstrated competence and safety in the Robin 2160, in all aspects of flight including Phase Four Aerobatics. Phase Five includes Pitts S2A type check, type specific aerobatic techniques and inverted spin recovery techniques.

FORMATION FLYING

The Red Baron Flight Training Formation Flying Course is designed to train licensed pilots in the art of precision formation flying, both as a leader and as a wingman. The formation course is conducted in two phases- Phase One includes all basic formation flying techniques with one other aircraft; Phase Two introduces multi-aircraft formation techniques. The AACC or equivalent is a prerequisite for the formation course. Aerobatic Competitions Red Baron Flight Training encourages students to compete in both our in-house competitions and those conducted at the regional, state and national level by the Australian Aerobatic Club. Information, support and guidance are provided to all students looking to compete in these competitions.

AEROBATIC COMPETITIONS
In National Aerobatic Championships, students of Sydney Aerobatic School have won numerous trophies and have consistently ‘placed’, at times winning trophies in all grades of competition at the one championship! A succession of 'Unlimited Aerobatic Champions of Australia' started their aerobatic careers at the school.

AUSTRALIAN AEROBATIC CLUB
To foster the competitive spirit amongst our graduates, Red Baron Flight Training encourages students to compete in both our in-house competitions, and those conducted at the regional, state and national level by the Australian Aerobatic Club. Information, support and guidance are provided to all students looking to compete in these competitions.

RED BULL AIR RACE
The Red Bull Air Race is the pinnacle of extreme aerobatic competition. The top aerobatic pilots from around the world compete in this internationally renowned event. Based on a combination of speed and agility, pilots race each other and the clock through complicated routines, pushing themselves and their aircraft to the limits. Kirby Chambliss was crowned king of the 2006 World Series, but with 12 pilots competing in 2007 the field is wide open.

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