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Chapter VIII.- Advanced and Acrobatic Maneuvers

The purpose of instruction in advanced and acrobatic maneuvers is to develop a more sensitive "feel" and a higher degree of orientation and coordination in the student. In addition, these maneuvers build self-confidence and familiarize him with all the abnormal attitudes possible in an airplane and teach him the proper methods of recovery to normal flight.

The first five maneuvers listed, namely, lazy eights, chandelles, wing-overs, advanced stalls, and precision spins, while they are advanced maneuvers, more properly belong in the intermediate and accuracy stage, since they are particularly useful in developing coordination, timing, control use analysis, orientation, and subconscious reaction. Normally all should be introduced and a fair degree of proficiency attained between the thirtieth and the fiftieth hour. If the student is advanced as rapidly as he attains fair technique in the intermediate and accuracy work, it will be found that their introduction will greatly accelerate the perfection of technique in the intermediate and accuracy maneuvers. They will also serve as excellent preliminaries for the acrobatic maneuvers. Perfection of technique in them will greatly reduce the amount of instruction and practice necessary to prefect the acrobatic maneuvers due to the high degree of technique, subconscious reaction, and orientation they develop.

Before any acrobatic maneuvers are performed, there are certain precautions to be taken which every pilot should know and observe, and which should be taught the student as early as possible.
1. Have a clear understanding of what is to be attempted and the manner in which it is to be executed.
2. Know the limitations of the aircraft, the probable results of exceeding them, and stay within them.
3. Inspect the airplane and be certain that it is mechanically and structurally sound. All filler caps should be in place and tight. The safety belts in the airplane should be inspected for condition, attachment to the fuselage, and a smooth working release. All tools and loose equipment must be removed from the baggage compartments and other places in the airplane. The fire extinguisher should be checked to see that it is securely held in place.
4. The pilot's physical condition is important. If ill, or not feeling up to par, do not engage in acrobatics.
5. Aviation and alcohol do not mix. This is even more true of acrobatics and alcohol.
6. See that parachutes have been inspected and that they are in good order and well within their packing date limits.
7. Be certain that the safety belts are tightly adjusted and that when so adjusted they do not interfere with the normal manipulation of the controls.
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