Where would you move for basic aerobatic training?

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BuckRimfire

Filing Flight Plan
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BuckRimfire
Low TT private pilot, no current medical. I'm 59, likely to retire in a couple of years. My wife and I hope to move temporarily (renting a house or apartment for a few months to a year at a time) to a couple of different places in the US for variety, if her health allows (not gonna go into details on that). I did spins twice with an instructor in a Taylorcraft a couple of years after passing my Private checkride and enjoyed them. No other aerobatic experience. I'd like to refresh my fundamental proficiency then do some introductory aerobatic training.

So, if you could move anywhere in the US to be near an aerobatic instructor and rental aircraft (Decathalon?), where would it be. Other considerations would be semi-reasonable cost of living, if possible, not totally rural since my wife's favorite hobby is going on 90 minute walks through residential areas to look at houses. Climate is negotiable. I don't mind some snow, don't love oppressive heat and humidity but could put up with a lot for one summer, I suppoose.
 
Get an intro flight to acro before you make a life decision. A lot of people like the idea of acro, but find the physical experience less enjoyable.

There are good instructors all over the country. You probably don't need to move anywhere. But if you're looking for a reason, St Augustine FL has a top notch school with Patty Wagstaff. Florida weather from November to March is spectacular.
 
Second Patty Wagstaff. Great teacher. Great staff! Allan is terrific. St aug is aerobatic airport. nice walkable town. 45 mins from jacksonville if u need big city. reasonable prices. not in worst hurricane spots.
 
Ed Haywood said:
But if you're looking for a reason, St Augustine FL has a top notch school with Patty Wagstaff. Florida weather from November to March is spectacular.
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frfly172 said:
Come to Florida
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NOOOOO!!!! Florida is FULL! It’s much too crowded here, the traffic is awful, the gators will eat your dog, the canes will destroy your home, the skeeters will kill your spouse. Besides, it’s much too crowded! And there are too many people here!
 
Ed Haywood said:
Get an intro flight to acro before you make a life decision. A lot of people like the idea of acro, but find the physical experience less enjoyable.

There are good instructors all over the country. You probably don't need to move anywhere. But if you're looking for a reason, St Augustine FL has a top notch school with Patty Wagstaff. Florida weather from November to March is spectacular.
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Whoa. Taking instruction from someone famous sounds kinda intimidating! OTOH, I guess it sounds like a good idea, and a good story.
 
Half Fast said:
NOOOOO!!!! Florida is FULL! It’s much too crowded here, the traffic is awful, the gators will eat your dog, the canes will destroy your home, the skeeters will kill your spouse. Besides, it’s much too crowded! And there are too many people here!
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Don't forget the sinkholes!!
 
New England sounds like a GREAT idea. Much much better than Florida. Seasonal color changes, delightful blizzards to kill off the mosquitoes, good chowder, people who talk funny,... Just the thing, and not nearly as overcrowded as Florida.
 
I flew this morning with a -900 density altitude, too.
Half Fast said:
New England sounds like a GREAT idea. Much much better than Florida. Seasonal color changes, delightful blizzards to kill off the mosquitoes, good chowder, people who talk funny,... Just the thing, and not nearly as overcrowded as Florida.
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I wouldn’t move anywhere for training. If you can afford to fly aerobatics, you can afford an airline ticket and a few nights in a hotel. It’ll be a fraction of the money you’ll spend flying over just the next few years, let alone lifetime.
 
You might want to take a look at the $3000 basic aerobatics course that airshow pilot Greg Koontz offers in Ashville, Alabama.

I understand that its a different type of experience-- flat rate covers everything, including room/board at his bed-and-breakfast. All individual instruction from Greg himself, and no air traffic delays-- you fly out of the grass strip next to the B&B.

https://gkairshows.com/basic.html
 
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I don’t think Goulian teaches aerobatics. Greg is excellent
 
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