Aerobatics

Anyone who learns how to safely fly aerobatics and practices becomes a better and safer pilot.

Getting started

You don’t need to be very experienced to make a start in gliding aerobatics! The BGA encourages interest in aerobatics through the BGA Aerobatics Endorsement, which exists to enable a pilot to demonstrate competence in flying basic aerobatics. The BGA Aerobatics Endorsement requirements are here.

Contest aerobatics

Pilots can get involved with contest aerobatics too. In the UK, contests are organised by the British Aerobatics Association . There are 5 classes of increasing difficulty: Club, Sports, Intermediate, Advanced and Unlimited. The BGA training is designed to enable safe, competitive participation. Ongoing training is encouraged by contest aerobatic badge qualification. The BGA contest aerobatic badge requirements are detailed here.

There’s some interesting detail about gliding aerobatics here.

Contest Aerobatics Training

Contest aerobatics training is delivered by BGA Aerobatics Instructors. The Aerobatics Instructor requirements are detailed here.

Aerobatics instructor training and assessment may be carried out by the following individuals: Ian Gallacher, Charles Baker, Roger Barber, Richard Crockett, Andy Cunningham, Mark Erlund, Dave Gethin, Pat Greer, Alex Harris, Will Jones, Ed Lockhart, George Rizk, Graham Saw, Guy Westgate, Paul Brice, Peter Hackett, Bruce Cooper.

Aerobatics instructor coach training and assessment may be carried out by the following individuals: Ian Gallacher, Graham Saw, Richard Crockett, Guy Westgate.

Please check the relevant part of Laws and Rules before contacting the office with queries regarding aerobatic qualifications.

Guidance for Instructors

There is helpful guidance in part 28 of the BGA instructors manual here.

Safety Sense Leaflet – Aerobatics

This CAA safety sense leaflet is aimed at aeroplane aerobatics but also has relevance to gliding aerobatics.