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| The Sport Aerobatic Club represents competition aerobatics in SA. Aerobatics consist of manoeuvres in which an aircraft is flown under precise control in unusual attitudes, some better-known being rolls, loops, stall turns and tail-slides. In competition aerobatics there are different classes, from Sportsman (Beginner), Intermediate, Advanced, Unlimited (Semi-crazy). Each of these classes will allow the pilot to push his/her own envelope in order to gain the skills to master the current level before attempting the next higher level. Each of the classes have flying sequences consisting of various display figures with various difficulties, where pilots are judged on the accuracy and difficulty of the manoeuvres in the particular class. By the time the pilot has progressed to unlimited after many 100’s of hours, he/she will have to be able to fly a loop from upright to inverted upwards or downwards with g-forces that can go up to 12g. Aircraft such as the Yak-52 and the Pitts Special are suitable for aerobatics up to Intermediate level, the Extra 300, Slick 360 and some Pitts Special models can compete up to Advanced level. For Unlimited, very high power to weight ratios are required achievable by aircraft such as the Sukoi-26/31, MX2, S-Bach and the Slick 540. |
 (AeCSA Annual Reports) |
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