The Red Pitts Keeps Staring At Me

[bryanrene]

I sold my RV4 and bought this Pitts S1C. Haven't flown it yet and the anticipation is killing me. Going to spend some time with Bud Davisson next week. Hoping my feet don't fail me.

[WAM120RV]

Guys,

Please stop this thread....... you have me looking at adverts for an S2!!

I have always loved the Pitts and bought a part completed Skybolt several years ago. The plan was finish my 4, then finish the Skybolt.

Then I got persuaded to build the 9 and then I bought a part completed Loehle Mustang. When I got the 4 to the airfield for completion the Mustang took its place in my workshop as I reckon there is only 500 hrs work left on it and it wil be the first on the UK register.

So once that is done..... the Skybolt!! But you guys have got me looking at Pitts!! Its torture..... when will I be able to build my Spitfire???

Please stop!!

[Christopher Murphy]

Years ago I asked delmar Benjamin if the gee bee was hard to land. He said " it depends on the pilot"

If you don't have very good basic flying skills, it will eat your lunch. If you have good basic tail wheel skills or an aptitude for them, you can learn to land the Pitts. The S1S is an order more challenging than the s2, in my opinion. If you are ham fisted or footed you will have a hard time with an airplane that was designed to respond to a deft touch.

That said, it's a pilots airplane that is a joy to fly and a challenge to land.

Good luck and make sure you are well prepared, there won't be anyone to save your bacon if it gets ugly.

Cm

[Flyingleap]

Bryan, that's a nice S1C with spring gear, which will make the landings a little easier. I have owned three S1's, S1C, a factory S1S, and a modified experimental(factory fuze) S1S. The last was a blast. It took me about a
100 landings to get my right hand to stop sweating, especially in cross winds.
Your spades are on the inside so crosswinds will be easy(well, maybe not easy) but some not "purty". After 15 years flying a Pitts it always seemed like every 100 landings or so there was one that was ugly ugly. And if you are "pushing" on the rudder, it's got to be way too much, just a 1/4 inch or so......yep...(with 3 inches added rudder width )
I could never get beyond a 15 know crosswind, spades a few inches from the ground, spring gear that would "shoot" you off the runway if touching in a crab. But what a dream to fly, put six gallons of gas in her(4 in tank, 2 in header) and she performed like a different acro mount. Loved to fly it. Curtis did a fine job. Curtis always said he didn't build that airplane to do wheel landings, so don't do those either.

BTW, your spring gear does not have "cuffs" on them. This will cause buffeting in the tail, more on hammers. 160mph entry speed (about) on hammer, 140mph stall, buffet. I didn't like it so on went the cuffs.

When you get to feeling she is a part of you, home free, but never ever stop flying her until the prop is stopped.

Have fun.

[Danny King]

Steve is right..........this a painful thread. My first home built was a Pitts S1S and I still miss her!

I had plenty of tailwheel time, but wisely decided to get a checked out in a Pitts S2A before my first flight in the S1S. I had that first takeoff completely mapped out in my mind from the first move of the throttle until the rotation. That all went out the window after reaching full throttle, and the 180 horsepower started yanking that 760 lbs airframe. The takeoff was more like a launch! I remember feeling like I had a tiger by the tail. It was the most exciting takeoff I had ever made without afterburner!

Aerobatics in the Pitts is effortless, and mades you look much better than you are! The single seat Pitts does aerobatics like a race horse loves to run. She truly does what you think with control harmony that I've never experienced in any other aircraft.

I was hoping that my checkout in the S2A would prepare me for that first landing, but the single seater is more demanding, and requires a lighter touch.
It's not that the Pitts is hard to land, it's not! It is the most controllable airplane I've ever flown. But a light touch is mandatory. If the airplane heads toward the edge of the runway, it is because the pilot put in too much rudder correction for a deviation from the center line. The lack of forward vis in the flair, and the fact that you can not see the runway if you are over it, is the reason for most of the scary stories.

I sold my Pitts because I needed the money, and cried as she taxied away. Later I purchased a share of a Christen Eagle II which had much nicer manners on the runway.

I don't think the Pitts is for everyone, but for those of us that have experienced the crisp, balanced, responsive extension of your soul that is a Pitts S1, flying will never be the same.


The day dad flew the Pitts

[sandifer]

Originally Posted by Danny King

Aerobatics in the Pitts is effortless, and mades you look much better than you are!

I think rather it might make you feel you're better than you are...that is until you get some ground critiquing. Due to light controls, a Pitts definitely requires less physical effort than many types, but requires the same amount of concentration and skill to fly high quality figures compared to any other type. If you think a Pitts has light controls, fly a Giles sometime.

[Danny King]

"If you think a Pitts has light controls, fly a Giles sometime"


A friend let me fly his Extra 300S once, and I'd love to experience the Giles. I bet I'll be waiting along time for some one to hand me the keys to one!

[sandifer]

Originally Posted by Danny King

A friend let me fly his Extra 300S once, and I'd love to experience the Giles. I bet I'll be waiting along time for some one to hand me the keys to one!

The 300S is more airplane than a Giles...and one of the best flying Extras. Flies much better than the heavy, doggy (as Extras go) 300L. If I had $450K burning a hole in my pocket, I'd pick up a new 330SC...but I'd also keep the Pitts.

[Lindamon]

I flew the original G-200 back in the mid nineties when Richard was bringing it around to contests. It was the fastest rolling plane I have ever flown. But I agree with Eric - it's almost too light on the controls. It was not nearly as nicely balanced as a Pitts, even my truck-like (for a Pitts) S2B. I love the single seat Pitts. Most fun and bang for the buck in any plane ever. Every time I look through Barnstormers I nearly buy one of the projects for sale.

But if you really want to fly the nicest handling plane ever, you should search out an Extra 230. It doesn't roll as fast as the 300S, or have the power, but it becomes an extension of yourself like no other aircraft ever will. Snap rolls in any attitude at any airspeed are exquisite. The CG is right in your belly, so the wildest tumbles throw you around about as much as a somersault across your living room floor. Going around corners at 6-7 G's feels like you are on rails. Once you learn how to present it to the judges, it really WILL make you look better than you are! I sold mine because I was building the Model 12 Pitts, and have missed her ever since.

The current owner of mine, 444PW, lives in Miami, called me last week to talk about the history of her, and has told me I can come down and fly her again! I can't wait!

[rjtjrt]

If we are discussing aerobatic mounts, anyone have any experience of the handling of the CAP 232 that they can tell us about? Or the Zlin 50?
John