Glacier Air offers extensive one-on-one Class 1 and Class 2 Aerobatic Instructor training. Although Transport Canada requirements are only 10 hours of dual flight training for a Class 2 Aerobatic Instructor Rating, a serious candidate should have substantially more aerobatic flight experience. The Aerobatic Instructor Rating is designed to provide a Commercial Pilot with the additional knowledge and skills needed to teach others how to safely fly Aerobatics.
Class 2 Prerequisites
To obtain a Class 2 Aerobatic Instructor Rating, you must:
hold a valid Canadian Commercial Pilot Licence and Class 1 Medical
be 18 years of age or older
be medically fit and prepared, both mentally and physically, to withstand unusual flight attitudes and G-forces
be able to demonstrate proficiency at ground handling, taxi, takeoff and landing tailwheel aeroplanes and operations of constant speed, fuel injected aeroplanes
acquire a minimum 10 hours Dual flight instruction in the conducting of aerobatic maneuvers or a total of 20 hours conducting solo aerobatic maneuvers
acquire a minimum 1 hour of conducting aerobatic maneuvers in the preceding six months.
acquire certification from the holder of a Class 1 or Class 2 Aerobatics Instructor Rating that you are competent to perform Aerobatic maneuvers
Class 2 Ground School
You must complete a minimum of 15 hours of Aerobatic Instructor Rating ground school which shall include:
Practical application of basic techniques of instruction and principles of learning as outlined in Section 1 of the Flight Instructor Guide
Lesson planning
Theory of flight applicable to aerobatics
Preparatory ground instruction procedures
Pre- and post-flight briefing procedures
Teaching aerobatic flight maneuvers
Aircraft structural limitations
Medical factors and human tolerances
Aerobatic pre-flight inspection
Considerations for recovery from unplanned maneuvers
Flight safety considerations
Regulations and airspace restrictions relating to aerobatic flight
Presentation of pilot decision-making concepts
Class 2 Flight Training
Glacier Air operates a Bellanca Super Decathlon 8KCAB which is approved for aerobatic flight training. No written examination is required. However, you will be required to obtain 90% in the written examination PSTAR, unless previously completed.
In addition, you must complete a minimum of 10 hours of dual flight instruction on the teaching of aerobatic maneuvers including:
Aerobatic spin entry and recovery (minimum 1 turn)
Loop
Barrel Roll
Slow Roll
Snap Roll
Hammerhead Turn
Combination maneuvers including:
1/2 Loop followed by 1/2 Roll (Immelmann Turn)
1/2 Roll followed by 1/2 Loop (Split S)
5/8 Loop followed by 45° Descending 1/2 Roll (1/2 Cuban 8)
45º Climbing 1/2 Roll followed by 5/8 Loop (1/2 Reverse Cuban 8)
Recovery techniques from unplanned aerobatic maneuvers.
Finally, you must complete a flight test to the standard outlined in the Flight Test Guide – Flight Instructor Rating – Aeroplanes, Helicopters, Aerobatic (TP5537E).
Class 1 Prerequisites and Training
A Class 1 Aerobatic Instructor Rating is needed in order to instruct others on how to become Class 2 Aerobatic Instructors. In order to qualify for this rating, you must hold a Class 2 Aerobatic Instructor Rating (see above), have a minimum of 50 hours of aerobatic flight instructing experience, complete 10 hours of Aerobatic Instructor Rating ground school instruction on topics relating to the training of instructors, pass a written exam and a practical flight test.
Please contact our Chief Flight Instructor, François Leh, for more information about Class 1 and Class 2 Aerobatic Instructor Ratings.