Having completed my check flight with instructor Martin, he gave me the go-ahead to fly my first solo aerobatic flight. This flight would be the final step towards earning my Basic Aerobatic Badge, a milestone I had been working towards for some time. As with everything in gliding, life and weather had delayed this moment, making the day feel even more special.
It was a bright blue January day, the air cool and still—the perfect setting for this important moment. The canopy closed, sealing me into a world of anticipation and solitude. The towplane climbed steadily, and I focused on maintaining position and preparing for the manoeuvres ahead. At release height, I pulled the cable, and the towplane banked away. I was alone, with the sky stretching endlessly before me.
Before starting the aerobatics, I completed my checks with a 360-degree turn, scanning the airspace to ensure it was clear. Satisfied, I began.
The loop started with a 45-degree down line to build speed. As the airspeed increased, I pulled back on the stick, and the glider responded, arcing gracefully upwards. The horizon vanished as I climbed higher and higher. At the top of the loop, I hung for a heartbeat in weightless stillness, the world inverted below me—a mosaic of fields and roads, familiar yet distant. Gravity took over as I descended, smoothly levelling out to complete the manoeuvre.
Next came the humpty: another 45-degree down line to gain speed, followed by a steep climb transitioning into a controlled dive. It required precision and timing, and I felt a thrill as it came together cleanly. Then came the chandelle—a climbing turn that demanded careful coordination. The glider moved beautifully, carving a graceful arc through the sky.
After the chandelle, I performed a 270-degree turn, which served as a transition to the final manoeuvre: the up line. The purpose of the up line was to bring the glider back to a safe flying speed—about 50 knots. I pulled back on the stick, feeling the glider slow as it pushed upwards. At the peak, I eased the stick forward, letting the airspeed settle back into normal range.
With the sequence complete, I turned towards the airfield, descending in calm, steady silence. The landing was smooth, and as the glider rolled to a stop, I sat quietly for a moment, letting it all sink in.
The flight wasn’t flawless, but it was mine—a milestone in my journey as a pilot. Solo aerobatics had shown me the beauty and precision of flight, the thrill of independence, and the joy of mastering something new. It was the kind of moment that changes you.
Duncan
