Pitts Special

The Pitts Special (company designations S1 and S2) is a series of light aerobatic biplanes designed by Curtis Pitts. It has accumulated many competition wins since its first flight in 1944. The Pitts biplanes dominated world aerobatic competition in the 1960s and 1970s and, even today, remain potent competition aircraft in the lower categories.[1][2]

This article is about the aerobatic biplane series. For other uses, see Pitts Special (disambiguation).
Pitts Special
S1 / S2
Pitts S-1S
Role Aerobatic biplane
National origin United States
Manufacturer Aviat (current)
Designer Curtis Pitts
First flight September 1944
Status In production
Little Stinker in the Smithsonian
S-1S
Modified S-1S
Modified S-1S
Christen Industries S-2B Pitts Special belonging to the Pitts Specials Formation Aerobatic Team
2001 Aviat Pitts S-2C
S1-11B Pitts Special
Pitts S-2A
Cockpit of Pitts S-2A
Pitts S-2B
Pitts S-1E
Pitts S-1T
Pitts Special in flight

Design and development

Curtis Pitts began the design of a single-seat aerobatic biplane in 1943–1944.[3] The design has been refined continuously since the prototype first flew in September 1944; however, the current Pitts S2 still remains quite close to the original in concept and in design.[4]

Several of the aircraft that Curtis Pitts built had a picture of a skunk on them and were called "Stinkers". After she bought it, aerobatic performer Betty Skelton called the second aircraft that Curtis built, "Little Stinker". The prototype S-2, which was the first two-seat Pitts, was "Big Stinker", the prototype Model 11 (later called S1-11B) was "Super Stinker", and the prototype Model 12 was the "Macho Stinker".[5][6]

In 1962 Curtis Pitts set up Pitts Enterprises to sell plans of the S-1C to homebuilders.[7]

Current versions

Certified versions of the Pitts are now produced by Aviat Aircraft in Afton, Wyoming. It is available as the S1 single-seater with an up to 200 hp (150 kW) flat-4 Lycoming engine and a 17 ft 4 in (5.28 m) wingspan, or as the S2 two-seater variant featuring a 260 hp (194 kW) flat-6 Lycoming and a 20 ft (6.1 m) wingspan. Pitts Specials have been equipped with engines of up to 450 hp (338 kW).[1]

Plans for the single-seat Pitts S1-S are also available from Aviat Aircraft. The S1-C and derivative S1-SS plans and kits are supplied by Steen Aero Lab in Palm Bay, Florida. Many hundreds of homebuilders have successfully completed and flown the Pitts since plans became available in 1960.[8]

Operational history

All single-seat (S-1) and two-seat (S-2) Pitts Specials are variations of the basic design from 1944.

The aircraft was popularized by Betty Skelton, Caro Bayley, and other air show performers, which led to the offering of plans in 1962.[7]

Pitts produced limited numbers of aircraft during the 1940s and 1950s. The Pitts Special became the standard by which all other aerobatic aircraft were judged. After a number of homebuilt aircraft were produced from rough hand-drawn plans produced by Pitts, more professionally drawn plans went on sale in 1962. While many homebuilt aircraft were built in the 1960s, earning the S1 a reputation as an excellent aerobatic aircraft, Pitts worked on the design of a two-seat aerobatic trainer version, the S-2, which first flew in 1967 and gained its type certificate in 1971. Factory-built aircraft produced by the Aerotek company at Afton, Wyoming were joined in production by the single-seat S-1S in 1973.[9][10]

In 1972, the US Aerobatic Team won the World Championships flying only Pitts biplanes.[2]

In 1977 Curtis Pitts sold his interests in the Pitts S1 & S2 to Doyle Child.[7] Child later sold the rights in 1981 to Frank Christensen, who continued production at the Afton plant under the guise of Christen Industries.[10] The rights for homebuilt versions of the Pitts were sold in 1994 to Steen Aero Lab,[11] with the Afton factory and production rights being transferred to Aviat.

Curtis Pitts died in 2005 at age 89. At the time of his death, he was working with Steen on the prototype of the new Pitts Model 14, a brand new, two-seat biplane designed for unlimited aerobatics powered by the 400 horsepower Vedeneyev M14P radial engine. The rights to the Pitts name is currently owned by Aviat which also owns the similar model to the Pitts in the Christen Eagle.[8]

The current inverted flat spin world record is 98 set on March 20, 2016 by air show performer Spencer Suderman over Yuma, Arizona.[12] Suderman flew the Sunbird S-1x, a Lycoming IO-540-powered experimental variant of the Pitts S1. The maneuver began from 24,500' over the Yuma Proving Grounds and was recovered at 2,000' AGL.[13] The previous world record for the number of consecutive turns in a flat spin was 81 also set by Spencer Suderman on March 13, 2014 in a Pitts S2-B from 23,000 ft altitude over the Naval Air Facility El Centro.[14]

Variants
S-1
Basic single-seat Pitts aerobatic biplane with a flat M6 aerofoil section and lower wing ailerons only, fitted with a variety of engines.[15] Two were built, the first named Special and the second Li'l Stinker.[16]
S-1C
Amateur-built S-1 single-seat aircraft, flat bottom wing with ailerons on lower wing only, designed for 100–180 hp (75–134 kW) engines. First flown in 1960, the S-1 is currently available as a plans-built aircraft from Steen Aero Lab.[17][18]
S-1D
Amateur-built S-1C with ailerons on all four wings, generally similar to S-1S.[15][19]
S-1E
Amateur-built S-1C using factory-produced kits. Uses symmetrical airfoil.[15][19]
S-1S
Aerotek-built certified S-1C for competition aerobatics, round airfoil section, four ailerons, and powered by a 180 hp (134 kW) Lycoming AEIO-360-B4A; 61 built.[15][19] This model is also available from Aviat Aircraft as a plans-built aircraft.[20]
S1-SS
Similar to the certified S1-S "Roundwing". 180–200+ hp (134–149 kW), single-seat, homebuilt, symmetrical wing, four symmetrical "Super-Stinker" style ailerons, 300 degree/s roll rate, fixed-pitch propeller. This model is available in plans and components form from Steen Aero Lab.[21]
S-1T
Aerotek-built S-1C with a 200 hp (149 kW) Lycoming AEIO-360-A1E and minor changes; 64 built.[15] Four-aileron, single-seat, factory-built, symmetrical wing, symmetrical ailerons, constant speed two- or three-blade Hartzell propeller. The top wing was moved forward compared to the S-1S for weight and balance. This model was in production in 2008 from Aviat Aircraft as an "on-demand" manufacture product.[4][8]
S1-11B
Known as Model 11 "Super Stinker", 300+ hp (220 kW) Lycoming, four-aileron, single-seat, experimental-plans or factory-built and factory component parts, symmetrical airfoil, three-blade constant speed prop, rolls better than 300 degree/s, climbs better than 3,000 ft/min (15.3 m/s).[8][22]
S-2
Scaled up S-1 with tandem two-seat fuselage and powered by a 200 hp (149 kW) Lycoming AEIO-360-B4A piston engine.[15]
S-2A
Aerotek-built S-2A with a 200 hp (149 kW) Lycoming AEIO-360-A1A or -A1E piston engine, constant speed propeller, later builds have a longer landing gear and a 2-inch-wider (51 mm) front cockpit; 259 built.[15][19]
S-2B
Aerotek-built S-2A with a 260 hp (194 kW) Lycoming AEIO-540-D4A5 engine, upper wing auxiliary fuel tank, the landing gear and upper wings were moved forward six inches; 196 built. The aircraft is out of production but is supported by Aviat Aircraft.[8][15]
S-2C
Four aileron, two-seat, factory-built, symmetric airfoil, 260 hp (194 kW) Lycoming driving constant speed three-blade propeller, current production model. This was an evolution of the S-2B model, with improved ailerons and rudder, flat bottom fuselage, lower profile bungee gear, better inverted handling, and certified for +6 -5g. It is in production in 2008 by Aviat Aircraft.[8]
S-2E
Amateur-built S-2A from factory-produced kits.[15]
S-2S
Aerotek-built S-2B with a single cockpit and a twin tank fuel system. The fuselage is shortened by 14 inches (35 cm) forward of the cockpit to allow the installation of the heavier 260 hp (194 kW) Lycoming AEIO-540-D4A5. The wingspan is 20 ft, 0 inches (6.10 m); 17 built. This model is currently out of production, but supported by Aviat Aircraft.[8][15][19]
S-2SE
Amateur-built S-2S from factory-produced kits.[15]

Operators

Military operators
 Chile
 Jordan
 Venezuela

Civil operators

Aircraft on display
Canada
Italy
United States

Specifications (S-2B)

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988–89[4]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Length: 18 ft 9 in (5.72 m)
  • Upper wingspan: 20 ft 0 in (6.10 m)
  • Lower wingspan: 19 ft 0 in (5.79 m)
  • Height: 6 ft 7 1⁄2 in (2.019 m)
  • Wing area: 125.0 sq ft (11.61 m2)
  • Empty weight: 1,150 lb (522 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 1,625 lb (737 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 29 US gal (24 imp gal; 110 L)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Textron Lycoming AEIO-540-D4A5 air-cooled flat-six engine, 260 hp (190 kW)

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 152 kn (175 mph, 282 km/h) (max. cruise)
  • Stall speed: 52 kn (60 mph, 96 km/h)
  • Never exceed speed: 182 kn (209 mph, 337 km/h)
  • Range: 277 nmi (319 mi, 513 km) (55% power)
  • Service ceiling: 21,000 ft (6,400 m)
  • Rate of climb: 2,700 ft/min (14 m/s)

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

Notes
  1. Montgomery and Foster 1992, p. 92.
  2. "Plane and Pilot" 1977, p. 84.
  3. Taylor 1980, p. 899.
  4. Taylor 1988, p. 381.
  5. The Pitts Model 12 Archived 2010-05-15 at the Wayback Machine Palmer Aeroworks Limited, 2 May 2008. Retrieved: 6 August 2008.
  6. "Pitts Special S-1C". National Air and Space Museum. 17 March 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  7. Simpson 1991, p. 125.
  8. Pitts Overview Archived 2008-08-04 at the Wayback Machine
  9. Donald 1999, p. 683.
  10. Donald 1999, p. 684.
  11. Taylor 1999, p. 585.
  12. Guinness World Records (2016). "Most inverted flat spins in an aircraft". Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  13. Tulis, David (24 March 2016). "Spin doctor crushes record". Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  14. David Hirshman (June 2014). "Record Setter". AOPA Pilot: 26.
  15. Simpson 1991, p. 126.
  16. "American airplanes: Pa - Pi". Aerofiles.com. 2 May 2009. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
  17. Taylor 1976, p. 527.
  18. "1999 Plans Aircraft Directory" 1999, p. 69.
  19. Taylor 1982, p. 187.
  20. "1999 Plans Aircraft Directory" 1999, p. 53.
  21. "The Pitts S1-C and S1-SS." Steen Aero Lab, 2008. Retrieved: 8 August 2008.
  22. "Pitts S1 Historical Information." Steen Aero Lab, 2008. Retrieved: 8 August 2008.
  23. Andrade 1982, page 138
  24. "Goodyear Eagles – South African formation display aerobatics team". goodyeareagles.com. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  25. "Pitts Special S-1C". Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  26. "Pitts Special S-2A (Modified)". Canada Aviation and Space Museum. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  27. "Pitts Special". Volandia. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  28. "Pitts S-1 "Pitts Special"". MAPS Air Museum. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  29. "Pitts Special S-1C". Aerospace Museum of California. Archived from the original on 17 April 2016. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  30. "Aircraft on Display". Hiller Aviation Museum. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  31. "Pitts S-1C Special". Pima Air & Space Museum. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  32. "Pitts Special S-1C". National Air and Space Museum. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  33. "Pitts Special". San Diego Air & Space Museum. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  34. "1966 Pitts S-2 Special - N22Q". EAA. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  35. "Pitts S-2B". Frontiers of Flight Museum. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  36. "Aircraft". Virginia Air & Space Center. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  37. "Aircraft Exhibits". Wings Over the Rockies. Retrieved 3 November 2020.

Bibliography
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  • Aviat Aircraft
  • Donald, David, ed. The Encyclopedia of Civil Aircraft. London: Aurum Press, 1999. ISBN 1-85410-642-2.
  • Montgomery, M.R. and Gerald Foster.A Field Guide to Airplanes, Second Edition. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1992. ISBN 0-395-62888-1.
  • "1999 Plans Aircraft Directory." Kitplanes Magazine Volume 16, Number 1, January 1999, Belvior Publications, Aviation Publishing Group LLC.
  • "Plane and Pilot." 1978 Aircraft Directory. Santa Monica CA: Werner & Werner Corp., 1977. ISBN 0-918312-00-0.
  • Simpson, R.W. Airlife's General Aviation. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1991, ISBN 1-85310-194-X.
  • Taylor, John W.R., ed. Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1976-77. London: Macdonald and Jane's, 1976. ISBN 0-354-00538-3.
  • Taylor, John W.R., ed. Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988-89. Coulsden, Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group, 1988. ISBN 0-7106-0867-5.
  • Taylor, John W.R., ed. Jane's Pocket Book of Light Aircraft - Second Edition. Coulsden, Surrey, UK: Jane's Publishing Company, 1982. ISBN 0-7106-0121-2.
  • Taylor, Michael J.H., ed. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000 Edition. London: Brassey's, 1999. ISBN 1-85753-245-7.
  • Taylor, Michael J.H., ed. Janes's Encyclopedia of Aviation, Vol. 5. Danbury, Connecticut: Grolier Educational Corporation, 1980. ISBN 0-7106-0710-5.
  • "2008 Kit Aircraft Directory." Kitplanes Magazine Volume 24, Number 12, December 2007, Belvior Publications, Aviation Publishing Group LLC.
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