Up, up away and

A young pilot in Fife has won a scholarship to chase her dream of becoming an aerobatics star. Jack McKeown talks to Kerrin Dutton about her high-flying goals

Even people who hate flying will love aerobatics – provided they’re watching it from the ground. The stunning displays of aerial skill popularised by the Red Arrows is a niche but growing sport in the UK.

One local pilot who’s passionate about aerobatics is Fife-based Kerrin Dutton, who has won a scholarship to realise her dream of becoming a champion in the discipline.

The 25-year old was born in South Africa and grew up in Prestwick before moving to Kinglassie, in Fife, a few years ago. She became enamoured with flying as a teenager on the west coast: “We lived next to Prestwick Airport and I loved watching all the planes come in – there were military and commercial aircraft everywhere. I dreamed of becoming a pilot and visited the air school there to ask how I could learn to fly.”

Aged just 16, Kerrin saved every penny from her waitressing shifts until she had enough money for her next flying lesson. She had her pilot’s licence before she obtained her driving licence. She went on to obtain her pilot’s degree at Tayside Aviation in Dundee and now works as a flight instructor at Perth Airport.

She says: “I love teaching people to fly, and I particularly love explaining how affordable flying is. Of course it’s not really a cheap hobby but people seem to think it’s very expensive and that isn’t the case. If I could get my pilot’s licence by saving up my waitressing money then most people can do it.”

Not content with having her pilot’s licence, her instructor’s licence and having her dream job teaching people to fly, Kerrin continues to push boundaries. Her latest passion is aerobatics – stunt flying.

Aerobatic pilots compete to showcase their skills across a dizzying range of manoeuvres, including rolls, loops, stall turns (known as hammerheads) and tailslides.

“I was inspired to get into aerobatics when I went to Leuchars Airshow one year,” Kerrin continues.

“I was amazed by the stunt teams and wondered how anyone could fly with so much precision and skill. I thought ‘this is something I really want to learn’.”

Kerrin received an aerobatic flying experience for her birthday and has since set about training to be able to compete at British Aerobatic competitions.

She and a group of like-minded friends have been travelling to aerobatic venues in England.

“At the moment there really isn’t an aerobatic scene in Scotland so we have to go down south to do it,” she says.

“A group of up to six of us have been car-pooling and travelling down there. Because you’re further south you often have clearer weather. I would love to have events in Scotland though – one of the joys would be flying over scenery that is familiar. I also just know the English pilots would love the Scottish landscape.”

Aerobatics uses customised planes that are built for strength and manoeuvrability, and have special fuelling systems that allow them to fly upside down for extended periods.

Generally, aerobatic pilots will rent planes to use, paying for a certain number of hours’ flight time. Kerrin is desperate to introduce the sport in Scotland and part of that strategy will eventually involve having a dedicated plane.

“A popular entry level plane for aerobatics is called a Pitts Special. It’s perfect for learning on and it’s also capable of taking part in competitions.

“They cost around £30,000, which sounds a lot, but if six of us all contribute then it ends up being about the same as a secondhand car.”

Kerrin’s goal of becoming qualified to compete at aerobatic events – and eventually teach aerobatics – took a big step forward when she won a scholarship worth around £2,500.

She was one of two young pilots picked by Ultimate Aerobatics, in partnership with Total UK, for scholarships covering training towards the EASA aerobatic rating – which will allow them to take part in competitions.

The aerobatic rating requires a minimum of five hours of aerobatic training and all training will be done in Ultimate Aerobatics Pitts Special and Extra 330 aircraft, with an instructor who has achieved British champion