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We use a 1995 American Champion Super Decathlon. It has 5-point ratcheting Hooker Harnesses, an aerobatic sighting device, ADS-B equipped with Stratus 3 ADS-B in, and the instructor uses Foreflight on a portable device to assist in traffic avoidance.
We generally record flights with a cockpit-mounted camera, either a Garmin VIRB Ultra 30 that records forward view, or an Insta360 X3 360 camera that we can export to either fixed frame or VR formats. Both record instruments and audio as a training aid and record. If done, we will try to make videos available via cloud storage for you to download.
These are provided for your personal training, and not for social media use without prior permission.
All instruction is currently given by Greg Dinning. He is a 3900 hr Commercial pilot with instrument, glider and multi-engine ratings, >700 hrs in Decathlons, FAA Gold Seal CFII and AGI with 2600 hrs instruction given, about 200 aerobatics/UA and the rest upright. He has flown aerobatics since the late 90's, and flown Decathlons in regional IAC contests many times. He also flies a Christen Eagle.
We currently operate out of a T-Hangar at Fitchburg Municipal Airport, KFIT. We'll meet at the terminal, 567 Crawford St. Fitchburg MA, and have ground sessions at the hangar before and after flights. Commuter rail is 1.6 miles away for car-free customers. There is ramp parking for fly-ins; contact the airport regarding fees.
Flights occur in the region around KFIT, exact locations determined by regulations, weather, traffic and consideration for area residents.
Will you get sick? We hope not, really. Basically, you want to show up neutral- not hungry, not full, no dramatic meals recently. Bland food like bread is good. You'll learn to look in the best places to keep oriented while maneuvering, and training is done with an eye towards minimizing problems while maximizing value to you-- but it is a compromise.
Everyone has a discomfort threshold that improves with exposure-- if you're realistic about pacing yourself. We always stop when you reach your limit that day. Acclimation often is fastest when you stop before that point- frustrating at the start, but with a payoff later. So the duration and number of a student's flights will vary- we can't tell you "you'll do everything you want/need in X flights".
Pills or devices are up to you, we have no insight into them. Regardless, you need to be fit to fly!
Training is strongly weather dependent. We typically need at least 4,000' ceilings depending on lesson and often much more, visible horizons, minimal turbulence, <15 kt xwnd for rwy 14-32 at KFIT. We'll discuss weather cancellation decisions before starting, but you've got to expect it's going to happen. We try not to waste our or your time with fruitless trips to the airport, but it can be a tradeoff with getting stuff done.
We've got a bookshelf full, but our go-to intro aerobatics book to supplement- not replace- actual instruction is "Basic Aerobatics", Goulian and Szurovy.
For the detailed treatment, "Better Aerobatics", Cassidy.
Internet videos have their place for entertainment and tips, given basic skills. They don't replace flight instruction, and may interfere. We're signing your logbook, not the YouTube guy.
You aren't sitting at home watching that YouTube video. There are risks flying aircraft. You must sign a liability waiver to document you and those around you understand and accept that.
The company carries aircraft and liability insurance for dual instruction. It's as much as is available to us, but that's not much. If you have personal considerations, you should address and solve them separately before flying with us. That's true of all flight instruction, we're just saying it out loud.
You already know that flight instruction is a demanding experience. Aerobatics is an unusual niche in that world. You need to trust and be compatible with your instructor and their equipment, and have common goals. Perform your due diligence, and make your own judgements. As with all flight instruction, there are other ways to accomplish your goals if we don't seem like a good fit. See the links page for some additional resources.
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Decathlon photos courtesy Ray Fuller
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