SUNRISE AEROBATIC COURSES
Tailwheel Endorsement		Confidence Training
Primary Aerobatics		Intermediate Aerobatics
Advanced SpinTraining		All Attitude Awareness
Formation		Competition

The aerobatic division of Sunrise Aviation offers training designed to increase the safety and pleasure of flight. Sunrise aerobatic courses start with confidence and safety training and extend through competition aerobatic programs. All courses are taught to specific completion standards, and course duration estimates are approximate.

All aerobatic aircraft at Sunrise are available for solo rental after completion of checkout requirements. The variety offered by the fleet makes it possible for pilots to progress smoothly from aerobatic basics to flight in the most agile aircraft in the world. Sunrise aerobatic instructors are specialists, brought into the program after first qualifying in the many non-aerobatic courses offered at the school.

Estimated Costs.
Especially for pilots who have not flown at Sunrise before, costs for our various aerobatic courses cannot accurately be estimated. We see a significant range in piloting abilities, theoretical knowledge and physical tolerance, all of which influence progress. As an example, our Basic Aerobatic Course has been completed in as few as 7 flight hours, but more commonly requires 15 (for an estimate of that cost, jump to the Estimates page). In a few rare instances, students have required twice that much time. All Intermediate and advanced training programs are designed to suit individual students, so even broad estimates are impractical.

"Accelerated" Courses
 The fastest course completions do 2 flights a day. Weather is an unpredictable factor and can sometimes prolong course completion. In Southern California, for the most part, we enjoy good weather, but if you are coming from out of town, it is best to allow for some weather delays.

Aerobatic Home Page

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Tailwheel Course
Stalls	Spins	Ground Ops
TakeOffs	3 Point Landings	Wheel Landings

The FAA added "tailwheel endorsements" to the list of required logbook authorizations in 1991--a long overdue recognition of the special skills and understanding need to fly "conventional" airplanes. At Sunrise, pilots with no prior tailwheel experience can expect to spend approximately two hours on the ground and five hours in the air (Citabria) developing the necessary skills.
(Flight : 3-5 hours, Ground: 2-3 hours)
Cost Estimate
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Confidence Course
Stalls	Spins	Unusual Attitudes

This course is designed to complete standard flight training by increasing flight skills in stalls, spins, and basic unusual flight attitudes. Pilots interested in increasing confidence and basic flight skills will find this course quick and effective.
(Flight: 1-3 hours,  Ground: 1-2 hours)
Cost Estimate
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Primary Aerobatic Course
Spins	Aileron Roll	Loop	1/2 Cuban	Immelmann
Split S	Landings	Barrel Roll	Cuban 8	Graduation

The aircraft used are Bellanca Decathlons, stressed to 6 Positive and 5 Negative G's. The emphasis of the course is on developing precise skills through detailed instruction on the aerodynamics of each maneuver.

The goal is to produce graduates who continue to improve on their own in solo aerobatic flight. Students can expect to be signed off for solo after completing the first six maneuvers and demonstrating appropriate takeoff and landing skills. After solo, the course completes with the final two maneuvers.
(Flight: 10-14 hours, Ground: 3 hours)
Cost Estimate
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Intermediate and Advanced Aerobatic Maneuvers
Hammerhead	Slow Roll	Inverted Flight	Inverted Spins	Reverse Cuban	Humpty Bump
Hesitation Roll	Vertical Roll	Shark's Tooth	3/4 Loop	Square Loop	Snap Rolls

Intermediate and Advanced Aerobatics: Pilots with Basic aerobatic skills may add individual maneuvers as they choose. Maneuvers offered are listed above, but others can be added as desired by the individual customer. Many maneuvers can be mastered in the Decathlons, although progression to the more advanced aircraft is customary as students progress to inverted entries and recoveries.
(Flight & Ground: varies)
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All Attitude Awareness
STAGE 1	Upright spins	Rolling attitudes	Looping Attitudes	Inverted Flight
STAGE 2	Vertical Flight	Hammerheads	Universal Spin Recovery	Accelerated Spins
STAGE 3	Upright Flat Spins	Inverted Flat Spins	Snap Rolls	Tumbling Maneuvers

All Attitude Awareness: Recognition and recovery techniques for severe unusual attitudes.
During the past fifteen years instructing aerobatic students we have come to recognize the need for flight training programs specifically designed to prepare pilots for the possibility of severe unusual attitudes. While not everyone is drawn to the pursuit of solo aerobatics, all pilots benefit from learning these essential recognition and recovery techniques.
The training is delivered as a series of short courses to teach recognition and recoverery techniques for all possible attitudes.

Aircraft used in the program are chosen to take pilots through gradient steps from Basic through Unlimited aerobatic performance. All are tailwheel models stressed to a minimum of 6 G's.
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Advanced Spins
Upright Spins	Accelerated Spins Upright	Flat Spins Upright
Inverted Spins	Accelerated Spins Inverted	Flat Spins Inverted

Advanced Spin Course Normal, Accelerated, and Flat spins done upright and inverted. This is a comprehensive spin course for the pilot who has intermediate aerobatic skills and wants complete confidence in all possible spin situations. Essential training is given in "Universal Spin Recovery" techniques. The course standardly begins in the Decathlons and finishes in higher performance aircraft.
(Flight: 4 hours, Ground: 2 hours)
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Formation Course
Takeoff	Break	Lead Change	Rejoin
Cross Under	Wingover	Barrel Roll	Loop

Formation Course The course takes pilots through the techniques and signals used in formation flying. Three different types of formation are practiced: fingertip, route, and trail. The training is offered in the Decathlons.
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Use the "Enrollment" menu item at the top of this page to make contact with Sunrise staff.