"aircraft tricks, trick flying," 1914, from aero- + ending from acrobatics. Earlier (1879) it meant "the art of constructing and using airships; aerial navigation; aeronautics."
Entries linking to aerobatics
aero-
word-forming element meaning "air, atmosphere; gases," in 20c. use with reference to aircraft or aviation, from Greek aēr (genitive aeros) "air, lower atmosphere" (see air (n.1)).
acrobatics n.
1859, "acrobatic performances or feats," from acrobatic; also see -ics. Also acrobatism (1864). Acrobacy (1918, from French acrobatie) sometimes was used. Figurative use is attested by 1915.