BTW, Jeff, aerobatics only requires parachutes if you are carrying a
passenger.  Then the chute you're wearing must be current.  I don't
sleep with the FAR's, so I can't quote the reg., but I'm sure  you can
find it.....

Gentlemen, gentlemen - Marquis d' Queensbury rules apply.

 

Please note that aerobatic flight is defined below as maneuvers abnormally unnecessary for "normal" flight - no parachute required.  91.307 only requires parachutes if somebody is crazy enough to go along on a flight that specifically exceeds 60 degree banks or +/- 30 degrees of pitch unless they are a crew member, CFI or ATP.  I guess that is because they don't scream as loud, even without a parachute to clutch. 

 

Is an overhead approach abnormal?

 

Why is abnormal acceleration aerobatic but when you go for a ride with a rocket racer pilot you don't have to wear a parachute? 

§ 91.303   Aerobatic flight.

No person may operate an aircraft in aerobatic flight—

(a) Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement;

(b) Over an open air assembly of persons;

(c) Within the lateral boundaries of the surface areas of Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E airspace designated for an airport;

(d) Within 4 nautical miles of the center line of any Federal airway;

(e) Below an altitude of 1,500 feet above the surface; or

(f) When flight visibility is less than 3 statute miles.

For the purposes of this section, aerobatic flight means an intentional maneuver involving an abrupt change in an aircraft's attitude, an abnormal attitude, or abnormal acceleration, not necessary for normal flight.

 

 

§ 91.307   Parachutes and parachuting.

(c) Unless each occupant of the aircraft is wearing an approved parachute, no pilot of a civil aircraft carrying any person (other than a crewmember) may execute any intentional maneuver that exceeds—

(1) A bank of 60 degrees relative to the horizon; or

(2) A nose-up or nose-down attitude of 30 degrees relative to the horizon.

(d) Paragraph (c) of this section does not apply to—

(1) Flight tests for pilot certification or rating; or

(2) Spins and other flight maneuvers required by the regulations for any certificate or rating when given by—

(i) A certificated flight instructor; or

(ii) An airline transport pilot instructing in accordance with §61.67 of this chapter.

Grayhawk