A Little HISTORY OF AEROBATICS

Do you know who was the first person to ever fly the loop the loop? The first to have the courage to try?

It is one thing to do it now - when we understand the aerodynamics of the manover, when many have done it before us - when we know the relevant aircraft is suitably rated and reinforced so that the wings won’t disintegrate and fall off … and when we have the safety of a competent instructor in the cockpit with us.

It is another thing entirely to do it in an underpowered, fragile aircraft over a century ago. Back then, even a steeply banked turn was considered dangerous stunt flying - and the aerodynamics of entering and, perhaps more importantly, exiting a spin, were not at all understood.

The man who is given credit for being the first to fly the loop was Frenchman, Adolph Pégoud. Pégoud executed this stunt in his reinforced Bleriot aircraft in 1913 - only 10 years after the Wright Brother’s made their first flight.

At the time, Pégoud, was working as a test pilot for Blériot Aéronautique, a French aircraft manufacturing company. Pégoud made the first parachute jump from an airplane (a sacrificial Blériot). Observing the unexpected loop like trajectory of the aircraft following his exit, he became convinced he could fly and control a loop inflight. Nothing like having supreme confidence in one’s own abilities. Pégoud was the first to lay claim to the title of "ace" (four confirmed aerial victories).  

After spending time modifying the aircraft and using rope he strapped himself to his wickerwork seat (can you imagine wicker seats in an aircraft these days?) and successfully flew the loop on 21 September 1913.

What most don't know is that 12 days earlier, Russian military pilot, Pyotr Nesterov had completed the feat on 9 September 1913. Sadly for him however it was not rewarded with fame, but instead he was arrested and charged with risking government property, and sentenced to 10 days in jail.

Incredibly, only a few months later, Russian aviatrix, Lydia Zvereva, performed aerobatics. Executing a loop before a sold out crown in Riga. Thankfully she wasn’t given a prison sentence as a result of executing this manoeuvre.

It doesn’t really matter who did it first or who is given credit… 12 days makes no difference. Each are equally brave to attempt to execute such an intimidating stunt with limited knowledge of the relevant aerodynamics or aircraft capabilities and equally amazing that a woman was to execute the stunt shortly afterwards.

Sadly, not one of the were destined to enjoy a long life. Pégoud was shot down and killed in 1915 by one of his former students, who later served in the German air force. He was 26 years old. In April 1916, Zvereva contracted typhoid fever and died at the age of 25 and Nesterov died in an aircraft accident in 1914 at the age of 27.

Blériot aircraft flown by Adolph Pégoud doing the loop.