The Physics of Aerobatic Flight

The modern aerobatic aircraft represents a very advanced state of specialization that has resulted from an evolutionary path rather different from that of commercial or military aircraft. The construction of any aircraft is a series of compromises, the designer not being able to add much in one performance area without detracting from another. Over the last 30 years there have been enormous improvements in the design and performance characteristics of sport aircraft. Perhaps surprisingly, most of these developments have been made by custom builders, rather than large aviation manufacturers.