I've been to quite a few FBOs in my time; some have hot girls who know nothing about aviation working at the desk and usually get the accounting completely wrong, some of the owners want to squeeze every nickel out of you, and some could care less who you are.
As a new pilot I was so by the book, robotic, and I wasn't enjoying the flight as I should.
And So I found an inexpensive way to learn aerobatics and have never looked back. I originally did this to build confidence in my flying and to show my girlfriend loops and rolls outside of the bedroom.
Jacques was my instructor and my first flight was nerve racking, I had never done any real aerobatics, not even a spin. I was always worried about what to eat before and how I would do; however, as lessons improved so did my confidence. One of the biggest lessons I learned was to fly by feel. I was no longer mechanical or on the defense of aviation. I was now in complete control, whether inverted or in a spin, I was now relaxed and actually had fun. Then I heard the magic words from Jacques..."You're good to solo"
What did this sense of control and confidence help with me? I was able to communicate with confidence, fly the airplane as if it was second nature, and have lots and lots of fun.
Then in 2012 I had a crazy idea based on what Jacques said. Some of his students go on to compete and they do OK. Me? Compete? There's no way, I just did this to get confidence and impress chicks.
With lots and lots of practice from Jacques, going over every maneuver and learning from his past competition student I learned pure precision and energy management. Then on July 2012 I flew the Robin to Redlands airport, alone and nervous about my first competition.
When I arrived I found the other competitors there. Holy crap! I have a Robin that's an aerobatics trainer and everyone else had Pitts or an Extra 300s, which are purely designed for aerobatics competition.
Day 1, I was pulled aside by the director and staffs of the competition and they did everything they could to make me feel comfortable. Then it was my turn, they pulled the Robin out for me and checked my harness then I was cleared to take off and circle in the holding pattern. I tried to remember everything Jacques taught me. On departure, I was to follow the Extra 300, he was to begin his run while I circled in the holding pattern. Then I heard the radio "Robin, you are cleared to enter the box, good luck."
Wing wags, dive, pull up to a 45, push level, stall, spin 360 to vertical dive, pick up speed for half Cuban, hold inverted pick up speed, hold level to a loop, bank hard 70 degrees 180 turn then the hardest move the slow roll. Wing wags, well it was a good try and I can't believe I just finished my first run. "Nice job Robin"
Oh well, can't wait to Facebook my friends to tell them I tried and had fun. Then the results were posted.
Holding in first place "Robin 216MS" HOLY CRAP this can't be true. Later that day, I found out I just secured the gold medal, Days 2 and 3, I pushed the Robin harder and harder winning 2 silver medals and had a ton of fun.
Everything Jacques taught me from precision entries and exits to the next maneuver, to confidence, to just plain having fun...all paid off.
So my point is the instructors aren't looking for a fast track to the airlines, they actually care about you, what path you take in aviation, and you are not just another sign off to make themselves look good.
its a small group of friends that love aviation and just look otu for each other.
As an aircraft owner and an aerobatics pilot, I highly recommend the operations and instructors, specifically, learning to fly basic aerobatics for confidence building. read more