Aerobatic Books

There are more pilots per ca pita in Alaska then in any other state. Not that there are a lot of Aerobatic maneuvers but still it's an exciting sport.

People often ask if Aerobatics is a dangerous sport. A lot depends upon the pilot themselves. For instance, in 1989, Anthony Ziemiecki, a Cocoa Beach aerobatics instructor and decorated Army pilot, died when his vintage 1954 Navy training plane crashed into the airport runway at the TICO Warbird Airshow.

Flying in his North American T28-C, Ziemiecki attempted a split S -- a maneuver that some say is unsafe at low altitudes.

His plane dove almost nose-first into the end of the runway.

Three years later another pilot was killed at this same airshow.

By it's very nature, aerobatics involves risks that are not involved in non-aerobatic flight; but, as with other aviation activities, it is only as safe or dangerous as the pilot makes it. Discipline, planning, common sense, and knowledge are the basic prerequisites to safety. Aerobatics can be quite safe if safety rules are followed religiously:

Today's air shows are nostalgic reminders of the thrilling barnstorming air shows of years past. When airplanes were still quite new and daring pilots would show off their amazing skills and daring maneuvers.

Aerobatics doesn't have to be dangerous. You can control risk to whatever suits your tolerance and experience. It does take training and understanding of where the danger resides and that's why a good pilot never feels like he's seen it all.

If you have any interest in learning these skills there are several books with a wealth of information that can get you started.