Aerobatics Courses (including SPRT and UPRT)
In addition, co-owner Lewis (Lawrie) Stevens, is a highly qualified aerobatics instructor and a 2018 Australian National Aerobatics Championships winner, flying our Robin aircraft in the Sportsman category. With a background in teaching, Lawrie works closely with Colin, and together they deliver our top quality advanced training courses that are second to none in Australia and internationally.
To read why Colin and Lawrie both recommend that all pilots should learn these potentially life saving skills, that are not part of RA or GA basic flight training in Australia CLICK HERE
We are the Sunshine Coast 'Training Campus' for the Australian Aerobatic Club and encourage our aerobatics course graduates to play an active role in state and national competitions. Under the training syllabus developed by CFI, Colin Appleton, the Sunshine Coast Aerobatics Academy has produced more State and National Aerobatics Championship pilots than any other flying school in Queensland!
If you have any questions regarding flight training at the Sunshine Coast Aerobatics Academy, MESSAGE COLIN to arrange an informal one-on-one chat with him and or Lawrie.
In summary, the Sunshine Coast Aerobatics Academy offers the most comprehensive specialist training courses, in UPRT, SPRT and Aerobatics, available in Queensland. All courses are available from Gympie (YGYM) and also (at additional cost) from Caloundra (YCDR) locations on the Sunshine Coast! NOTE: These course are available to RAAus RPC holders, however, an RPL or higher license is required for the issue of the CASA AERO and SPIN endorsements.
- Part-time Aerobatics (includes AERO & SPIN Endorsements + Upset Prevention and Recovery) - Competency based, average is 10-12 hours part-time when you can fly 3 to 4 lessons per week, and 12-15 hours part-time when you can fly at least 1 x 1 hour lesson per week. - Includes long briefings, reference material, fuel surcharges and all landing fees. Cost - $6,658.40 to $8,198.00 Incl GST - Select Option (1) above to pay course deposit, then 'pay as you fly' after each lesson! We will contact you to schedule suitable lesson dates / times.
- Intensive 3 to 4 Day Aerobatics Course (includes AERO & SPIN Endorsements + Upset Prevention and Recovery). This is our most popular course and by far the best way to learn aerobatics! It's a 'full-on' intensive course but achievable!. Competency based, full-time intensive training over 4 days, average is 8-12 hours dual flight time (2 to 3 x 1 hour lessons per day!). Includes long briefings, reference material, fuel surcharges and all landing fees. - Cost, depending on competency / rate of learning, will typically be between: $4605.60 to $6,658.40 Incl GST. - Book first lesson here, then pay as you go at the end of each days flying or: Select Option (2) above to pay for the full course (10 hours) $5,432.00 incl GST, and save $200.00! - We can assist with discounts on your accommodation on the Sunshine Coast. Courses run on demand - maximum 2 per course, call us if you have questions!
- Aerobatics & Spin Prevention / Recovery + UPRT Introduction - Not sure your head and / or stomach can handle our 3-4 day intensive course? Find out with this introductory briefing and 1 x 1 hour dual flight. This lesson will introduce you to real '3 dimensional flight' and the physical loads and disorientation you will be exposed to during our full time intensive courses. If you do suffer from motion sickness, it's often NOT a 'show stopper' for any of our courses! We can usually fix 'motion sickness' issues in the first two or three lessons! This flight includes a 40 minute briefing, reference material, fuel surcharge and landing fees. Cost - $578.20 Incl GST. Select Option (3) above to pay, we'll then contact you to book a convenient date / time for your introduction flight.
- Aerobatic Competition Coaching (your aircraft or ours!) - call us!
Colin's advanced pilot skills training for spin recovery and aerobatics endorsement courses are among the best available in Australia. They will increase your pilot skills and understanding of the full flight envelope, making you a more confident and safer pilot. Try an Aerobatics Training Experience flight to see if aerobatics and advanced handling skills training is for you! Your training is conducted in the fantastic Robin R2160, a modern, fully aerobatic, military style training aircraft with side-by-side seating.
Note: Course flying hours and costs above are estimates. All training is 'competency based' so course prices quoted are our best estimates based on our experience of pilots average learning rates. Additional (or less) training may be required to achieve the required competency for the issue of a CASA license endorsement. Rest assured, our estimates are realistic so additional costs are very unlikely.
Pilots - ask yourself the following:
- Are you a pilot that gets nervous easily or suffers motion sickness in turbulent conditions?
- Are you confident you could recover safely from a sudden and violent turbulence induced unusual attitude?
- Are you confident you could avoid loss of control and recognise / prevent a spin or spiral during slow speed maneuvering or after losing VMC in deteriorating weather conditions?
- Are you confident you could quickly recognise and initiate the correct recovery from a spin or spiral dive with the current level of training you have received?
- Do you secretly lack confidence in your piloting abilities, feeling your training syllabus was not adequate and you should be a more capable and confident pilot, however, you have your license so you say / do nothing about it?
Sadly in most civilian flying schools these topics are not part of the basic pilot training syllabus. Consequently capable training aircraft are not available and student pilots (like their instructors before them) are only taught to fly a small part (10%-11%) of the aircraft's flight envelope, and thinking in two dimensions while we all fly in three dimensional airspace. The focus of training at most flying schools is to teach new pilots to “fear and avoid” unusual attitudes, slow speed / high angle of attack maneuvering, stalls, spins and spirals. Does this sound like the pilot training experience YOU received?
Then do something about it! TALK TO COLIN NOW! One day this training may save your life! Call him on 0414 430647 or Click Here to email him.
* Our flight training courses conducted at Caloundra Airfield operate from GoFly Aviation facilities.
