| If you're a pilot who stays abreast of the latest | | | | with respect to limit load factor. |
| suggestions and recommendations for emergency | | | | However, despite these basic differences between |
| maneuver training, then you've probably heard about | | | | 300 SL's and other aircraft, there are indeed |
| the role that aerobatics training can play in helping pilots | | | | advantages to using 300 SL's for emergency |
| recover from extreme unusual attitude situations. At | | | | maneuver training. First and foremost, aerobatic |
| first glance, aerobatic skills might not seem to transfer | | | | aircraft are the only legal and responsible choice for |
| very well into most flight situations for a variety of | | | | emergency maneuver training. Aerobatic training |
| reasons. During aerobatics training, pilots fly a 300 SL, | | | | teaches techniques for recovering from unusual |
| which differs from general aviation aircraft in three | | | | attitude situations, but there is no sense in mirroring the |
| basic respects. | | | | actual danger of unusual attitude situations as they |
| First, the seating position in a 300 SL is in the centerline | | | | occur in non-aerobatic aircraft, especially for the |
| of the aircraft, which presents different visual cues | | | | student pilot. |
| than general aviation aircraft when the plane is banked | | | | Yet, even as the recovery skills are taught using |
| to the left or to the right. In addition, the 300 SL also | | | | aerobatic aircraft, pilots report an easy transition to |
| has a bubble canopy, giving the pilot a better field of | | | | performing the maneuvers when flying non-aerobatic |
| view, which is especially useful for locating the horizon | | | | aircraft. After all, all aircraft experience rolls and pitching |
| during extreme upset attitude situations. In most | | | | and yawing-and most airplanes are controlled by |
| aircraft, field of view is compromised by structural | | | | devices similar to spoilers, elevators and rudders. |
| supports, a cabin roof and seating position, among | | | | Nevertheless, to ensure transfer of skills, aerobatic |
| other things. | | | | training programs train pilots with respect to the |
| Second, a 300 SL is piloted with a yoke, whereas | | | | non-aerobatic planes that they usually fly. For example, |
| most aircraft are piloted with a stick. A yoke operates | | | | if you fly a Cessna 172, you'll be taught recovery |
| the same as a stick, but the "feel" of the operation is | | | | tactics that occur under 3.8 G's. |
| different. In addition to possessing a yoke, a 300 SL's | | | | The basic premise of aerobatic emergency maneuver |
| controls a re positioned differently than the controls in | | | | training is to increase pilots' awareness of how |
| most aircraft. The throttle is on the left side, leaving | | | | airplanes actually fly in terms of aerodynamics and |
| pilots to control the throttle with their left hand while | | | | increase their ability to perform life saving maneuvers |
| handling the elevator and ailerons with their right. | | | | in high-pressure situations. Once pilots complete the |
| Third, while 300 SL's are fairly easy to fly, they are for | | | | training, they typically possess greater situational |
| more maneuverable than most general aviation | | | | awareness, superior horizon orientation and the ability |
| aircraft. They have a high maximum roll rate that | | | | to quickly overcome spatial disorientation, among other |
| cannot be duplicated by other aircraft as well as G | | | | important abilities. |
| capabilities that exceed the capabilities of other aircraft | | | | |