What’s it like to be a helicopter aerobatic pilot?

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has released its latest AOPA Presents mini-documentary, “Wiiings Not Required,” featuring Aaron Fitzgerald, one of the world’s only helicopter aerobatic pilots and a performer with the Red Bull Air Force team.

“Wiiings Not Required” was filmed and edited by AOPA Video Content Producer Brianna Cabassa, with additional cinematography by Jamal Warner. They joined Fitzgerald in rehearsal flights over Southern California and during a performance at the Aviation Nation air show at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada in April 2025.

“Experiencing aerobatics firsthand in the Red Bull helicopter with Aaron was exhilarating,” said Cabassa. “It was technically challenging to film but also a thrill to capture something so precise and uncommon in the world of aviation.”

This is the third installment in the AOPA Presents series, produced by AOPA’s in-house cinematographers. All are available on AOPA’s YouTube channel.