Have a PPL with an Aerobatic Rating or FI/CRI with aerobatic endorsement, and would like to learn more about competition aerobatics? Apply for Get Into Aeros - Contests!

Get Into Aeros - Contests is an initiative that aims to secure the future of competition aerobatics by encouraging pilots at the start of their aerobatic careers to get involved at an accessible rate, made possible by generous support from Philip Meeson and the Honourable Company of Air Pilots. We hope that some of you may one day join our national teams and we could even find a future champion or two, not to mention long-term members for our Association.

The event will give LAPL/PPL holders with an Aerobatic Rating or FI/CRI holders with an aerobatic endorsement an insight into competition aerobatics, in a two-day event that will be held at Leicester Airfield on 9/10th August 2025 and costs £250 (includes 1 hour dual aircraft rental, all briefings, Saturday evening BBQ). It is essential that you have an Aerobatic Rating already, and are thinking about starting to compete in the next 1-2 years.

So, what will actually happen at this event?

The Flying

Inarguably the most exciting part of the event: participants will undertake two 30-minute flights in an aerobatic aircraft with an experienced competition aerobatics instructor; on each flight, you will complete a training flight away from the airfield, consolidating what you learnt in your aerobatic rating and working towards flying a sequence. In the second flight, you will further refine your skills and your instructor will evaluate a flown sequence. After you get back on the ground, you will be able to compare your scores with the other participants flying with your instructor and you will be able to take home an SD card with videos of your flights on. At the same time as the Get Into Aeros - Contests event, British Aerobatics will be running a Sports and Intermediate level competition for you to observe in your downtime!

Briefings & Presentations

To kick off the weekend, a detailed briefing will be given on the structure of the event, what competition aerobatics is, an overview of the aerobatic aircraft being flown. There will be thorough briefings given by the instructors in preparation for your flights, where you will  talk through the manoeuvres you will learn with your instructor and be 'judged' on in your second flight. Throughout the event, additional presentations will be given by British Aerobatics members on how to get involved in the sport and what the next steps can be on your aerobatic journey. It is also a great opportunity to chat to our members and find out more about aerobatics in general.

Demonstration Flights

You will have the chance to watch British Aerobatics pilots - from Club to Unlimited level - practice competition sequences in the box, with commentary explaining what the judges are looking for in their flying. This will give you an idea of the increasing complexity of the different levels, but also show that it’s not all the very complicated stuff you may have seen by our top pilots. 

Food

The airfield café will be serving food throughout the event and there will be a BBQ social on the Saturday evening (weather-permitting!).

Nearby Accommodation

There are plenty of hotels and Airbnbs nearby, or you can even camp at the airfield if you wish (note there are no showers available though).

A Quick History 

The inaugural Get Into Aeros event was held in May 2016 and, following on from its success has been held every year since (except 2020 for understandable reasons). The report from the most recent event can be found here. 

Participants from previous events have not only continued their aerobatic training with confidence, but have gone on to compete, work their way up through the different levels of competition and even take home a few medals!

Requirements & How to Apply

If you have a current UK-issued LAPL/PPL/FI/CRI(A) with valid SEP rating, aerobatic rating and medical, and are interested in competition aerobatics, please fill out the application form below by the closing date: 5th July 2025 (5pm). The Get Into Aeros organising team will review applications and notify applicants by 12th July 2025 if you have been successful or not. We would love to be able to offer places to all applicants, however airfield, aircraft and instructor limitations mean we only have 16 places available for this year.

Get Into Aeros - Contests 2025 - Application Form

If you have any further questions about the event or application process, please email getintoaeros@aerobatics.org.uk

Good luck, and we hope to see you in August!

Weather Disclaimer

It goes without saying that anything flying related is at the mercy of the weather and if the weather is looking unfavourable for flying, we will postpone the event and advise participants by 12pm, Thursday 7th August. On postponement, we would look to reschedule the event to a suitable weekend later in the Summer following discussions with our host airfield. Of course, in the unlikely event of us being unable to put on the event on another weekend, or you are unable to attend the rescheduled event, your £250 will be refunded.