This is what it looks like in the cockpit of a death-defying acrobatic aeroplane that performs stunts in the sky to impress judges in one of the world's most extreme sports.

Adam Messenheimer of the US Advanced Aerobatic Team takes one of the stunt planes for a spin - one of many.

Messenheimer is not a professional but has trained most of his life, graduating from gliders to professional stunt planes, but flies business jets for a living.

He's seen flying and barrel-rolling at dizzying heights above the Willis Glider Port in Florida's West Palm Beach while being subject to seriously high gravitational force, spanning from +10 to -6 G's.

Messenheimer explained: "This discipline takes extreme flying and combines it with finesse and presentation in order to entertain judges and viewers alike.

"The physical and mental demand on the pilot is what makes this sport truly extraordinary."

Messenheimer is fortunate enough to be piloting an MXS-RH - a one-seat aircraft made of carbon fibre - owned by record-breaking acrobatic aerialist Rob Holland, who has won the World Freestyle Aerobatic Championships five times.

I am Adam Messenheimer, a member of the US Advanced Aerobatic Team. This discipline takes extreme flying and combines it with finesse and presentation in order to entertain judges and viewers alike. The physical and mental demand on the pilot is what makes this sport truly extraordinary.