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.