The Basic Aerobatic Manual Overview:

The Basic Aerobatic Manual is a complete reference for the beginning aerobatic student, with invaluable unusual attitude and spin recovery information for the more straight-and-level flyer. This book emphasizes techniques for the Cessna Aerobat models, but the described maneuvers easily translate to other aerobatics-certified airplanes.

Starting with stalls, chandelles and lazy-8’s, the student is guided through spins and the Three Fundamentals of basic aerobatics: the aileron roll, loop, and the snap roll. Once these basics are learned, the combination maneuvers (the cloverleaf, for example) are covered in-depth.

This third edition includes a new chapter on loss of control in-flight (LOC-I), the leading cause of fatal general aviation accidents, to complement the chapter on unusual attitudes (upset) recovery for pilots especially focused on flight safety. Returning to controlled flight solely by reference to instruments is examined closely. The chapter on spins and spin recovery benefits from the knowledge gained in over 7,000 spins, each having from 3 to 25 turns, in the Cessna Aerobat.

William K. Kershner started his solo aerobatic career in a Stearman N2S at the age of 17. As a flight instructor, he later operated an aerobatic school in Sewanee, Tennessee using a Cessna 152 Aerobat, until his death in January, 2007.

Introduction to Aerobatic Flight

• Federal Aviation Regulations
• Physical Condition
• Acceleration Forces

Preparatory Maneuvers

• Stalls
• Steep Power Turns
• The Chandelle
• The Wingover
• The Lazy Eight

Spins

• A General Review
• Mechanics of the Spin
• Spinning the Aerobat

Basic Aerobatic Maneuvers

• The Three Fundamentals
• The Aileron Roll
• The Loop
• The Snap Roll

Loop-Roll Combinations

• Loops followed by Aileron Rolls
• The Cloverleaf
• The Cuban Eight
• The Immelmann
• The Coordination Exercise
• Spins and Combinations

More Variations and Combinations

• The Barrel Roll
• The Snap at the Top of a Loop
• The Reverse Cuban Eight
• Hesitation Rolls
• The Reverse Cloverleaf

Recoveries from Unusual Attitudes

• Wake Turbulence
• Hoodwork

Loss of Control

• Angle of Attack
• Cross-Control Stall
• Buzzing
• Inattention
• Reducing Low Altitude Loss of Control Accidents
• Additional Safety Equipment

Softcover, 8-1/4" x 10-3/4", 128 pages; illustrated throughout with black and white diagrams, figures, and the author's own illustrations.
Author William K. Kershner
3rd Edition, April 2022