 Red Baron Flight Training is Sydney’s premier aerobatic training institution. Many of Australia’s best-known aerobatic champions are RBFT graduates.
Here at RBFT we are passionate about aerobatics. Noel Kruse, the founder of the school, was often asked why he considered three-dimensional flying, or aerobatics, to be a necessary component of flying training. His answer is simple: a pilot who can perform even the basic aerobatic manoeuvres is a more confident, competent pilot; even in non-aerobatic aircraft.
All the World’s Air Forces conduct this style of training, and airlines prefer Air Force trained pilots for this very reason. Even though a percentage of pilots inducted into the airlines do not come from the Air Force, the airlines prefer their pilots to have some aerobatic experience.
 For over 30 years the light aircraft market has been swamped with cheap (subsidised), non-aerobatic, American touring aircraft, which have rapidly found their way on to the flight lines of most flying schools. The result is that pilot training has become limited to the two dimensional, straight-and-level environment of these aircraft. Now those trainees are flying instructors themselves and are passing their limited view of flying to their students.
Today, many flying Instructors get sweaty palms above 45 degrees of bank, shake more than the aircraft at the point of a stall and run the other way at the mere mention of a spin! In short, their inhibitions render them incapable of giving effective flight instruction in those very things that should be taught and which demand good flight instruction. Red Baron Flight Training are dedicated to reversing this trend.
Prior to undertaking postgraduate aerobatic training students must be a graduate of either the RBFT GFPT course or the RBFT Advanced Aircraft Control Course (AACC). These entry-level courses provide all pilots with the handling skills necessary to begin serious aerobatic training.
Aerobatic training is conducted in phases:
- Phase One is covered as part of the RBFT GFPT or AAC courses
- Phase Two includes stall turns and advanced rolling techniques
- Phase Three consolidates skills learned into combination manoeuvres
- Phase Four concentrates on low level aerobatics.
All aerobatic training is flown in the Robin 2160/Alpha 160. Once you have successfully gained these endorsements you may wish to upgrade to the Pitts S2A aerobatic bi-plane, learn more advanced competition manoeuvres and routines, and train in formation flying.
AEROBATIC COMPETITIONS
In National Aerobatic Championships, students of Sydney Aerobatic School have won numerous trophies and have consistently ‘placed’, at times winning trophies in all grades of competition at the one championship! A succession of 'Unlimited Aerobatic Champions of Australia' started their aerobatic careers at the school.
 AUSTRALIAN AEROBATIC CLUB
To foster the competitive spirit amongst our graduates, RBFT encourages students to compete in both our in-house competitions, and those conducted at the regional, state and national level by the Australian Aerobatic Club. Information, support and guidance are provided to all students looking to compete in these competitions.
 RED BULL AIR RACE
The Red Bull Air Race is the pinnacle of extreme aerobatic competition. The top aerobatic pilots from around the world compete in this internationally renowned event. Based on a combination of speed and agility, pilots race each other and the clock through complicated routines, pushing themselves and their aircraft to the limits.
Kirby Chambliss was crowned king of the 2006 World Series, but with 12 pilots competing in 2007 the field is wide open.
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