Posted for "George/Shirley Shattuck" <kloop@plantationcable.net>:

Barrel roll:

Note your heading and altitude, speed (320) 160, 170, 180, somewhere in
there.  Begin your pullup and roll almost simultaneously, the g's are very
little, maybe 1.5 or 2 depending on your speed.  Continue to roll and pull
so as to arrive at a point 90 deg. off your original heading, inverted, and
at 1.0 g.  The glass of water you placed on the center console will remain
there and the water will remain in the glass.  My speed is usually somewhere
in the range of 100 kts. at this point.  Continue to roll and gently pull so
as to arrive back at your original heading and altitude (exactly) and
airspeed.  The G's do not remain constant obviously, slacking off to 1.0 G
over the top and slowly increasing as you round out at the bottom.
Practice, practice, practice and lots of fun but be precise!  Remember to
keep your head on a swivel and look out for the other guy, and don't bring
the glass of water along until you get good.

This airplane (320) is not an acrobatic airplane but is nice for Sunday
afternoon play.  It is too clean.  In overhead maneuvers (a loop for
example) as you get into the nose down other side the speed builds in a
hurry so you must continue to bring the nose around without delay, rounding
out at the bottom with the same amount of G you applied at the start.  If
you decide to loop the airplane, be sure to apply plenty of G to get the
nose up and around before you run out of things.  Bottom line is, get some
instruction, start with easy maneuvers to gain confidence and familiarity in
having the airplane over on its back, and don't do anything on a flash of
inspiration.  Plan ahead, think it through and go with it.  Doing mild
acrobatics, in my opinion, is a good thing.  It will instill confidence in
yourself and the airplane which can be useful at tense times when you just
need that "feel" to get it home.  And it can all be done safely.

George Shattuck
N320GS