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The Requirements to Become an Acrobatic Pilot

The Requirements to Become an Acrobatic Pilot thumbnail
The Blue Angels undergo rigorous training to perform their precision flight maneuvers.

In the film "The Great Waldo Pepper," the title character, played by actor Robert Redford, is a living witness to the end of an exciting era in aviation -- a period where ordinary individuals could make a living performing acrobatic stunts in midair. In the 21st century, becoming an acrobatic pilot requires dedication and rigorous training. Strong nerves and a commitment to safety are also necessary to enter a career that has witnessed relatively few fatalities, given the level of danger involved.

  1. General Pilot Requirements

    • Acrobatic pilots must first obtain a general license to fly aircraft. Many pilots obtain initial training through the military, however, it is also possible to receive flight training through private flight schools staffed with instructors approved by the Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA. Initial training often consists of a weeklong initiation period, followed by three to six weeks of training on simulators and 25 hours of flight training in an airplane. The FAA requires licensed pilots to be at least 18 years old and have at least 250 hours of actual flight experience and pass a written test. Pilots must also pass rigorous physical fitness requirements, including 20/20 corrected or uncorrected vision and good hearing.

    Military Flying Squadrons

    • In the United States, the Blue Angels, with personnel drawn from the United States Navy and the United States Marines, have become world famous for their precision flying formation acrobatics. The Thunderbirds, with personnel from the United States Air Force, also perform precision acrobatic flying feats. Prospective members of either of these elite squads must meet demanding requirements -- the Navy and Marines require Blue Angels pilots to have logged at least 1,200 flight hours. Members of the Thunderbirds squad also boast impressive flight experience and extensive hours of in-air flight time.

    Private Flight Schools

    • Private flight schools also offer pilot training and specialized instruction for acrobatic pilots. Prices and expenses vary, and include fees for use of the aircraft, fuel surcharges, instructional materials and FAA test fees. Instrument flight training allows pilots to fly in adverse weather conditions following instrument flight rules, or IFR. Obtaining an instrument rating is a definite asset for acrobatic pilots, who test their own capabilities as well as those of the aircraft far beyond the demands of commercial air flight.

    Women in Flight

    • Throughout its history, acrobatic flight has been dominated by men. One of the first female acrobatic pilots, an African-American woman named Bessie Coleman, faced both racial and gender discrimination in the United States, and was only able to obtain flight training in France. In the early history of acrobatic flight, women often performed as "wing walkers," literally walking along the length of the wings of planes in flight. In the 20th and 21st centuries, women have also begun taking the controls of airplanes in aerobatic exhibitions.

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