Barrel roll And g's Quest.

As to your snap roll observation... in level schnapps do you start with
full power? It takes more pull and g's to snap with full power, as you
would in a climbing line, than it does with reduced power. I know myself
that I keep to 120 mph or less in a level or diving snap,

I, too, try to keep level or down snaps at 120 or below, and whatever power it
takes, depending on what came before.If the snap follows a half loop up or some
other speed-losing stunt, I just leave the throttle open till I get my 120.
Unless, of course, it's a combination with, say, a half loop up with half snap
attached. If following, say, a push 5/8 loop as in this year's Advanced known,
I reduce power on the 45 down to make the line before the snap a bit longer, so
I can lengthen the line after for more speed out. There's a difference between
constant speed and fixed pitch prop, too. With the CS prop, the gyro is always
at full speed, whereas with a fixed pitch, it varies.

You're right about the barrel roll and the altitude loss if trying to maintain
approx. 1g. I think that the most customer-friendly roll starts out as a barrel
roll, but with an increased roll rate at the highest point of the arc, and
going to about 1/2 g when inverted. Or even 1/4 g, just enough positive so
they're not hanging on the belts.

I've been told that a "military" barrel roll, as taught to guys like my dad who
took PT in Stearmans, by definition has a 90 degree heading change at, shall we
call it, the apogee. Finishes on original heading, of course. I taught myself
these...they are very fun, but can't stay below about 3 g's in the Pitts. Then
I went out and demo'd them to a friend in his stock 220 Stearman. Those were
REALLY fun! A plane that actually uses wings flys so much differently...

Doug