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Who are we?
| The British Aerobatic Association was founded on 1st May 1974 to represent the
interests of all those concerned with aerobatic flying in a powered aircraft and in
gliders, by promoting and organising all aspects of competition aerobatics in the UK, including
progressive training, proper conduct,
furtherance of the sport and arranging contests. The British Aerobatic
Association Ltd is a Company incorporated with its
liability limited by guarantee and not having a Share Capital, and is recognised by
The Royal Aero Club as
the governing body of Aerobatics in Great Britain. |
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The association is comprised entirely of enthusiastic volunteers. Subsidies are
non-existent, the modest annual subscriptions and contest entry fees are all the financial
means available to the BAeA for its normal run of events. Benefits to members from the
subscription include regular information on UK and world-wide aerobatic activities via the
bi-monthly Newsletter, and the opportunity to attend all BAeA functions such as
Contests and
Training
Events, Judging Schools, social functions, etc.
In any capacity, in the air or on the ground, the more involved you are the more
enjoyable it is. If you would like to make a contribution to the Sport and learn more
about it, and attend aerobatic contests as a helper or spectator,
membership
of the BAeA is the first step.
We aim to provide an effective means of Communications between aerobatic pilots and
other enthusiasts and a focus for the efforts of all those interested in aerobatics. We
represent the interests of and express the needs of those involved in Aerobatics in the
following main areas;
We also provide assistance and guidance in aerobatic training matters from the ab
initio
stage onwards. Previously the aerobatic competitions of the day, had come under the
auspices of the Royal Aero Club or individual groups, such as the Tiger Club at Redhill, but as it became clear the
sport needed to develop in the UK as it had in other countries, a broader foundation for
the movement was essential. Since the inauguration of the BAeA, a series of competitions all over the UK have become well established
annual events, and the Association now promotes a comprehensive range of annual contests for it's members than almost any other
country . In 1996, we worked with the British Gliding Association,
to develop a recognised Glider Aerobatic badge scheme and
now represent both power and glider aerobatics within the International sporting
structure. The Association is the FAI recognised
national representative body for Aerobatic competition within the United Kingdom.
What do we do?
We run events ranging from aerobatic training camps and
competitions to judging seminars each year with three National
championship meetings. We constantly monitor pilot
skills and ensure that safety standards are maintained to the required high level at all contests.
We run one day training courses to teach the principles
of Aerobatic Competition Judging to novice and experienced aerobatic judges and pilots
at all skill levels.
We work hard to maintain good public relations for the sport and assist national bodies
like the CAA and GASCO (General Aviation Safety Council) to make 'ordinary' pilots aware
of the unique requirements for safe aerobatic flying.
We try to encourage new members, whether or not they are pilots. There are always
plenty of opportunities to get involved and help
in ground support activities, who knows where it might lead to ?. Check our
schedule of events and come along.
Why aerobatics?
Briefly, aerobatic training develops a pilot's flying skills to the ultimate. It
demands a high level of dedication and investment in time and, at higher levels, money. In
return it provides not only pleasure but also a real mastery of the art of flying in every
attitude of flight that can be encountered in an Aeroplane. Perfecting one's aerobatic
skills will inevitably lead to increased self-assurance in handling the machine and
greater safety in the air. There is enormous satisfaction in the precision and artistry
involved.
How does it work?
Pilots with basic Aerobatic experience, for example on their club Cessna 150/2
Aerobat,
may well reach the stage of wishing to have their skills more objectively tested, possibly
in competition with others. This can be achieved by flying the Beginners programme at a
BAeA contest weekend. The beginners programme
consists of five basic aerobatic figures put together into a sequence. The opportunity to fly this sequence, and
receive expert critique, informally or under competition conditions is available at most
BAeA events and Friday afternoon is usually given over to this aim. If you are a
British woman pilot with no previous aerobatic experience, you could apply for a
Diana Britten Aerobatic Scholarship.
Glider pilots are also catered for with single type (ASK21) contests and introductory
training events.
Pilots wishing thereafter to compete more regularly usually move on to the Standard
level contests. Rather more stringent standards of accuracy, positioning and presentation
are required when competing in earnest. There are then three higher levels to which a
pilot may aspire - Intermediate, Advanced and Unlimited. Ascending through each level
requires a wider repertoire of the pilot and, progressively, more performance from the
aircraft. Usually the standard Level contests are the most well attended with up to 30
competitors flying a wide range of aircraft such as the Stampe, Cap 10, Chipmunk, Cessna
Aerobat, Yak 52, Pitts Special or Tipsy Nipper. Despite the need for more capable aircraft
at the higher levels, the intention remains that competition flights are a test of the
pilots skill rather than of Aircraft performance. To this end, the Association designates
a 'minimum' aircraft for Intermediate and Advanced levels and designs sequences that can
be flown safely and competently within their performance envelopes. These minimum aircraft
are the Stampe SV4 and CAP-10B respectively.
Once into the Unlimited category, pilots will be eligible for selection to represent
Great Britain at International Championships, as well as competing as individuals in
National and overseas events. International Standards are determined by the governing body
(CIVA), and all National,
European and World Championships are held under CIVA Rules. Normally there is either a
World or European Championship in each alternate year; and Britain hosted the World
Aerobatic Championships in August 1986. The programmes flown during a competition may
include any combination of;
- Programme 1. The Known Compulsory sequence published for the current season.
- Programme 2. A Free sequence - The Pilot's own compilation of
manoeuvres from the
Aerobatic Catalogue, within parameters specified in BAeA rules.
- Programme 3. An Unknown Compulsory - a previously unseen sequence of Catalogue figures
performed unrehearsed.
- Programme 4. A Freestyle Event. Either as a ...
- 4-Minute Freestyle - a totally free non-catalogue sequence composed by the pilot to be
completed in a time limit of 4 minutes, or (At BAeA contest only)
- Masters/Apprentices - a short sequence of non-catalogue figures with additional
Freestyle elements inserted at the pilots discretion.
Details of the Levels and Programmes to be flown are given in the
Events Calendar.
If you are a pilot, and can demonstrate a level of Proficiency to one of our check pilots, why not
enter one of our contests.
If you wish to contact us, send an E-mail to:
or you can call the BAeA office and
discuss any aspect of our sport which interests you.
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