New Advance Precision Aerobatics Book

[Peter Jenkins]

Some of you will have bought the book I wrote titled, “Model Aircraft Precision Aerobatics – A guide for Beginners and Improvers” as either a paperback or a Kindle.  This book has sold over 1,000 copies across 10 countries of the world exceeding my expectations hugely!  My book was preceded by this thread that I started writing at the end of 2013 and was triggered by a number of posts asking if I could put the thread contents into a book.  It took the second lock down for me to produce the book in March 2021.

 

I approached Kevin Caton, the longest serving member of the UKF3A RC Aerobatics international team, to write a book on how to set up an aircraft and fly the FAI Advanced and Preliminary aerobatic schedules.  These schedules are changed on a two year cycle to fit in with the Continental Championships in the first year and the World Championships in the second year.  In January 2024, the FAI A25 and P25 schedules were introduced and will last till the end of 2025 after which the next set of schedules will be introduced.

 

 

Last year, Kevin was part of the UK F3A team that flew in the FAI F3A World Aerobatic Championships in Australia.  The front cover photo was taken at the World Championships by Walter Anker and is of the 10 best pilots in the World at the time.  Lassi Nurila, the current World Champion, is in the middle of the front row.

 

Kevin is also the Secretary of the UKF3A Association, sits on BMFA RC Power Committee as well as representing the UK in the FAI F3A committee that deals with rules and schedule development.  He’s a busy chap!

 

The book is aimed at pilots new to the F3A FAI A and P Schedules, although most pilots who are new to A25 and P25 will also find this extremely useful if not essential!  The book also draws on much of Kevin’s experience in setting up the aircraft and transmitter, trimming, practicing and schedule flying.  As far as I am aware, I don’t think there is another book like this on the market at the moment.

 

We published the result of our efforts, “Advanced Precision Aerobatics” through the Amazon Kindle Direct Publication route I followed for my first book.  The book is now available in both paperback (£25.99 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D4JBRRS6) and Kindle (£9.99 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D4GC2F6X) editions. 

 

As before, Forum members can buy from me directly by sending me a PM.  For UK addresses, the price for the paperback will be £19.00 including 1^st class post and packing.

[Peter Jenkins]

Apologies about the price, it should read £20 for UK addressees.  Mea Culpa - misread the postal charges which were £1 more - I'd read the 2nd class postage cost!

[Peter Jenkins]

I have just noticed that Amazon UK is offering the paperback book (link) for a limited period at 1/3 off the price so asking £17.13 instead of £25.99.

 

I do not know how long they will keep this offer going but it's usually no more than a week.  It is nothing to do with the authors by the way as I only found out when I went on the site this morning!

[Nigel Dell]

Hi Peter

 

The book arrived safe and sound on Friday, I have had a look through it today and it looks to be of the same excellent standard as the previous one, I off to Dorset for a few days next week and I am taking it with me to get into.

 

Thanks for sending it out so quickly.

 

Regards

 

Nige.

[Peter Jenkins]

Thanks for confirming receipt and on your kind words about it.  Hope you find the more complex trimming and manoeuvre descriptions spur you on in your recovery.

 

Best regards

 

Peter

[Peter Jenkins]

Just to let you know, the Advanced Precision Aerobatics book has received a grading of 4.6 out of 5 on Amazon.  A number of typos, pointed out by some readers, have now been fixed.  The book is available from most Amazon stores around the world.  If you have difficulty getting one, please PM me and I'll get a price for posting one to you from the UK.  For UK buyers, the link to the book is here. 

 

The Amazon price in the UK is £25.99 plus shipping but free for Prime members.  I can provide the book for £20 including 1st class post to a UK address.  I can let you have a  postage price for any other geography if you want to buy a copy from me.

[Futura57]

Congratulations on your book Peter. Yourself and Kevin should be very proud of your achievement. Whilst precision aerobatics is not my thing, I can appreciate how much personal time and effort goes into such an endeavour. Let's be honest, it's a labour of love, not a get rich quick scheme, and the hobby is all the better for your efforts. In the past I have bought books on setting up rc helicopters as well as finishing and flying scale rc helicopters. To say these books are a niche market is an understatement.

 

Anyway, well done.

 

[Peter Jenkins]

Thanks Futura57.  

 

It has only been possible to publish such books as a result of the growth of self publishing facilities.  I think if you are really interested in sharing your expertise in either print or e-books now is the time when you can do so without having to make much or any financial input to get the ball rolling.

 

Peter

[Peter Jenkins]

If you are looking for a Christmas present from your friends and family, I still have copies of "Advanced Precision Aerobatics" that I co authoured with Kevin Caton, our longest running UKF3A Team member.  Cost is £20 including post to UK addresses.  At no extra charge(!), I can put a small message in it and sign it.  I can quote a price for any overseas purchasers as well.  Just send me a PM.

[Nigel Dell]

And well worth that as well Peter 👍🏻

[Peter Jenkins]

Thank you for your endorsement Nigel!

[Bruce Collinson]

And writing as its sub-editor I also endorse it.

 

BTC

[Peter Jenkins]

And an excellent sub-editor too Bruce.

[colin wray 2]

 The best aeromodelling book ive ever bought Ikeep practising one day Iwill master it

[Peter Jenkins]

Thank you for that feedback Colin. 

 

As you say, practice is the only way to succeed but practising the right thing is also very important.  Unfortunately, unless you have someone coaching you who knows what is required then it is hard work.  An alternative these days is to use a system called Flight Coach.  FC has been developed by F3A pilots using the Arduino flight controller and a GPS module that are mounted in the aircraft.  This provides a file that can be replayed on the ground on your PC/Laptop that shows your flight.  It takes a bit of effort to set up and calibrate, but once done then it's a great way to coach yourself.  However, the first time you see your flight displayed on the Plotter it looks awful!  The display seems to magnify the errors you make but that's because of the accuracy of the system.  All your errors are replayed and you can then try and fix those errors one by one.  It does work though.

[Merry Mark]

Ordered a copy.
 

Look forward to getting to the Buckminster NFC monthly events next year. 

 

Cheers.

 

[Peter Jenkins]

Kevin Caton and I are pleased to announce Edition 2 of our book Advanced Precision Aerobatics.

 

Edition 2 of this book updates the practical advice on how to fly the A and P FAI schedules based on Kevin Caton's experiences during 2024 which includes flying in the European FAI F3A Championships.  The book also provides information on how to use the Flight Coach system during practice in order to identify what you are doing wrong when flying manoeuvres.  This book is for those who are new to or attempting to improve their performance of the FAI Model Aircraft Aerobatic Schedules A25 and P25. 

 

 

The book covers the topics of trimming, transmitter setup, aircraft and control setup, how to practice effectively, countering wind effects and what is involved in competition flying.  The FAI P25 or Preliminary Schedule is flown in all Continental and World Championships and is usually used in National Competitions.  The FAI A25 or Advanced Schedule, is the precursor to the P25 and has the same manoeuvre geometry but with fewer in-manoeuvre elements.  The objecting of flying A25 is that it enables an easier transition to P25 as the overall geometry remains the same.  In the UK, both A25 and P25 are used in the National League competitions.

 

The book is available from Amazon in Kindle (£9.49 ), Paperback (£26.99) and Hardback versions (£31.20) as at Jan 2025. 

Forum members can PM me and I can supply the books including 1^st class post and packing (within the UK) for:  Paperback £20 and Hardback £25, as at Jan 2025. 

 

I also have some remaining copies of Edition 1 of this book at £14 including P&P (within the UK). 

 

I will send to addresses outside the UK but will have to add the additional postal costs involved.

[Peter Jenkins]

Keith Jackson,  who writes the Aerobatics column in RCM&E, has posted his review of this book in the July Edition of RCM&E.  My copy hit my door mat this afternoon.  Worth taking a look at it - see page 46.  I think Keith liked it!

 

I have copies in stock so, if you want to buy one, please send me a PM.