Aerobatics training (FCL.800)
Dance
in the sky
Aerobatics is sometimes seen as the pinnacle of piloting, but above all it is the pleasure of mastering an aircraft perfectly and drawing a beautiful line in the sky. The Aéro-Club du Dauphiné's aircraft is a CAP 10 B, the world's most widespread entry-level aerobatic aircraft, and the ancestor of a whole family of world champions.
100 h
of flying or so before starting, to get the most out of the training
10 to 15 h
of flying to obtain the FCL.800 rating
Cap 10 B
the world's most widespread entry-level aerobatic aircraft
When to start?
The typical beginner aerobatic pilot is a private pilot who, after gaining some experience with their licence, wants to discover something new and improve. Although this figure should not be taken as gospel, it is often accepted that a PPL pilot should have around a hundred hours to get the most out of aerobatic training.
What physical fitness?
There is no specific medical to pass, but it is much better to be in good health. Load factors can be tiring, especially at first, when your body is discovering this kind of sensation.
What training?
The gateway to aerobatics is the European additional aerobatic rating “FCL.800”. This rating allows you to fly aerobatics for pleasure or in competition, in an aircraft designed for it, and to carry a passenger. It is obtained after about 10 to 15 hours of flight training.
The federal
aerobatic certificates
Since the switch to European regulations in 2018 and the end of the French aerobatic ratings, the FFA (French Aeronautical Federation) has created the Federal Aerobatic Certificates (BFV1, 2 and 3) to keep training standards high in flying clubs and aerobatic schools. These certificates build on and complete FCL.800 training to improve the mastery and skills of recreational pilots, and to fly in competition.
BFV1 and BFV2 take over the training content of the former “elementary aerobatics” and “advanced and negative aerobatics” ratings.
BFV1
Building on FCL.800, mainly positive figures (under positive G). Required for competition at “Espoir” level.
BFV2
Inverted aerobatics (under negative G) and advanced aerobatics (advanced figures such as snap rolls). Required for competition at “Promotion” level.
BFV3
Focused on competition and high-performance single-seat aircraft. Required for competition at “National 1” level.
All the ACD's aerobatics instructors are authorised by the FFA to issue the FCL.800 and Federal Certificates 1 and 2. FFA document: how to obtain your federal aerobatic certificate (in French).
Find out more
Instruction
rates
Aeroplane, aerobatics and microlight instruction
| Flight with an instructor students | €60 / h |
| Flight with an instructor licensed pilots | €15 / h |
Supervised solo: aeroplane, aerobatics and microlight
| Solo flight supervised by an instructor | €30 / h |
These rates are in addition to aircraft hire: see the aircraft rates for the cost of each type of aircraft.