AIR SPORTS INTERNATIONAL

by : Fred G.De Lacerda

There are a few sport aerobatic pilots who have experienced a magic moment when he or she put together to competition flight that was exceptional. A flight that was the ultimate in excellence, a peak performance. Unfortunately such flights are rare, but since such performance can occur, is it not possible to train to consistently compete at this peak performance level ? To answer this question, the characteristics of an aerobatic peak performance must be identified.

To determine these characteristics, a subjective evaluation of peak aerobatic performances by eleven aerobatic pilots was conducted. The results revealed the following perceptions about the flight.

There was a feeling of confidence, a positive attitude, prior to the flight.
Prior to the flight, the total thought process was immersed on the upcoming flight.
During the flight, total attention was directed detailed elements of the flight.
Time perception, the speed with which events took place, appeared to be in slow motion.
There was the feeling of being suspended in time and space with all control movement being involuntary, requiring no thought process, yet there was a constant awareness of position in the aerobatic box.
Prior to the flight, there was an "up beat" feeling. During the flight there was a sensation of enjoyment, and, upon completion of the flight, there was a feeling of euphoria, a feeling of a job well done.

Now, let's compare these peak aerobatic performance characteristics with those of other sport activities where athletes had peak performance. Regardless of the sport, team or individual, research has identified the following common characteristics.

Relaxation. Both the body and mind were relaxed. Physically, the muscles were "loose", and mentally there was an "inner" calm so that event took place at a slow leisurely pace.
Confidence. There was a positive attitude and a feeling of optimism, both before and during the competition.
Awareness. There was an acute sense of immediate surroundings. There was no future, no past; only the present.
Control. The body and mind automatically did exactly what was correct, with no sense of exertion or conscious thought.
Detachment. There was a feeling of being in a "cocoon", being totally detached from the environment and from any distractions.

Theoretically, sport psychologists have described peak performances as having a "flow" whereby there is a feeling of absolute control, total confidence and a complete absorption in the activity during which nothing will go wrong. Having a "flow" does not assure a peak performance, but such performance is not possible without "flow".

Author

   Comparing the characteristics of peak performance from other sports with those described by aerobatic pilots having flown that exceptional flight; there is no doubt about the similarities. Common elements of the "flow" pattern are evident.

   Regardless of the nature of the sport, there seems to be a definite psychological profile linked to a consistently high level of performance. While a peak performance cannot be repeated constantly, it is possible to consistently approach this optimal level. And, it appears that athletes can be trained to perform at or near these peak levels.

   It must be noted that a peak performance is not necessarily a winning performance, but is relative to the athlete's level of experience and ability. It is not a matter of finishing in first place, but doing the best with that you have at that moment in time. A peak performance is relative to the mastery of the mental and physical skills needed for an exceptional performance.

   Historically, athletic training has been geared to improvement of physical skills, but recent research and experience indicates it is possible to improve the mental factors associated with these skills. Most experts agree that as much as ninety per cent of success in any sport is due to mental factors. Fluctuations in performance are generally related to lack of mental preparation. Regardless of the sport, the winner is the "best" mentally. Furthermore, the higher the skill level needed for a given sport, the more important the mental factors become.

   A precondition for peak performance is a mastery of the physical skills needed in the sport. Competition aerobatics demands a high level of intricate hand-eye-foot coordination, but once the skill of flying aerobatic figures has been mastered and the pilot operates at the intermediate or advanced motor learning levels, success depends on mental factors.

   Competition aerobatics is a game of mistakes. The pilot with the fewest mistakes is the winner. The pilot with the ideal internal psychological state will consistently have the most success. Without the ideal mental state, there will be no peak performance. What does it take to develop the ideal mental state for competition aerobatics ?

   Being mentally ready for competition requires learned mental skills that must be continually practiced and refined if a pilot is to fly consistently at the optimal level. To develop this mental edge, a pilot must observe and practice the following factors:

There must be a commitment to be the best. Some call it determination, others desire. Probably in a sport like aerobatics, it is best described as motivation. There must be a continuous drive to be the best at whatever the category of competition, Basic or Unlimited. Practice in itself is not a measure of commitment to be the best. The sport aerobatic pilot must realize that quality practice is more important than quantity practice. Quality requires motivation, quantity reflects rote. Motivation requires both mental and physical practice. Rote demands only the physical. Mind and body cannot be separated. The mind tells the body what to do.
There must be self-control, mental control. Since the sport aerobatic pilot is an individual competitor, the ability to control thought and action provides confidence and composure. Mental control means the ability to totally focus on the task at hand. It is the ability to totally disregard any event that will distract from performance both in the air and on the ground. Mental control is a factor that must be part of every practice session. Without this inclusion in every practice session, mental control cannot be expected to function during competition. Without mental control there can be no focus.
There must be well-developed plans for competition and pre-planned coping strategies to deal with distractions and unforeseen events. Such preparation starts with practice sessions. This is accomplished by having pre-planned practice sessions. This will then extend to the competition scene.

   Every practice session must include a mental preparation phase. This mental preparation plan must be carried over as part of the pre-competition plan. The mental skills needed for optimum competition performance are learned and must be systematically practiced and refined as part of every practice session.

   Mental practice eliminates factors that distract from performance. These include loss of concentration, anxiety, negative thoughts, loss of emotional control, fear of failure and lack of focus. Pre-planned coping strategies developed through mental practice provide "buffer" zones against negative distractions.

   To have the ultimate flight, an aerobatic pilot must strive to achieve the mental characteristics associated with peak performance. These characteristics can be brought together by "focus".

   Focus generally is thought of as mental concentration, but I suppose that for aerobatics concentration is only one small part of a peak performance. Focus is both mental and physical control of one's total self for a specific purpose. Focus does not allow distraction from the task at hand. Focus is an internal motivation where nothing else matters. There is only the present, no past, no future. All the elements that constitute focus may, on an occasion, come together to give that all elusive peak performance. With mental practice, focus can be controlled and directed to consistently produce outstanding performances.

   Focus must not be directed to winning or being first, but on having a peak performance. If focus is directed to winning, this becomes a distraction to the mental control needed for the exceptional performance. Focus cannot be on someone else's performance, but must be directed on one's own performance.

   Just as practice is used to hone the physical skills needed to fly aerobatic figures in a competition environment, mental practice can be used to develop and improve mental control, motivation and focus.

   To achieve the ability to consistently perform at that peak level, an aerobatic pilot must have an organized and systematic mental training program. This program must be directed toward development of two key mental skills. First, a pilot must learn to voluntarily relax the body and place the mind in a quiet state. Second, the pilot must develop the ability to produce and manipulate mental images, a process known as "imagery". In essence, the pilot must develop mind control. Mastery of these skills requires regular mental practice.

   Subsequent sport psychology articles will deal with the application of relaxation and imagery to sport aerobatics.

(Reproduced from the June 1998 issue of Sport Aerobatics, with permission)

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