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TomParsons Certificates/Ratings/Crew Stations: "Pitts Types" 06-21-02, 19:04z  As I idly browse through the "airplane for sale" ads, I'm getting (more) confused about the differences among the different single-hole Pitts types. Based on what I read on the ACRO Web site, I thought the big difference between the S-1S and S-1T was that the S has a fixed-pitch prop, while the T had a constant-speed prop. But as I look around, I see lots of S's with constant-speed props. So, what's the difference really? Also, feel free to register any opinions you may have about which S-1 type a person should (hypothetically) buy, including pluses and minuses of factory vs. experimental. Assume that the hypothetical person was not a mechanic- just a pilot looking to get into aerobatic competition. Tom P. Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

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Subject      Author      Message Date     ID      RE: Pitts Types djpacro 06-21-02 1    RE: Pitts Types TomParsons 06-23-02 2   RE: Pitts Types Patty_Wagstaff 06-23-02 3    RE: Pitts Types TomParsons 07-11-02 4         RE: Pitts Types Patty_Wagstaff 07-31-02 5              RE: Pitts Types TomParsons 07-31-02 6              RE: Pitts Types TomParsons 08-06-02 7              RE: Pitts Types TomParsons 08-14-02 8                   RE: Pitts Types Al_Coutts 09-04-02 9                        RE: Pitts Types TomParsons 09-04-02 10                             RE: Pitts Types Ben_Chiu 09-04-02 11

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djpacro Certificates/Ratings/Crew Stations: 1. "RE: Pitts Types" 06-21-02, 21:55z  You've always gotta go the master for the answer to this question. Bud Davisson explains the ins and outs of the S-1's on his website link:www.airbum.com/Pitts/ThePittsSpecial.html] I like the S-1S as value for money. I'd have the spring gear (with suitable mods to the fuselage to take the attachment loads properly) and a Haigh lockable tailwheel. I'm 6 2 and its a bit of a squeeze which is why I moved to the Laser many years ago. Regards, Dave Pilkington Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

TomParsons Certificates/Ratings/Crew Stations: 2. "RE: Pitts Types" 06-23-02, 11:43z  Dave- Thanks for the reply, and the recommendations. I have read the article you mentioned (and pretty much everything else on Budd's Web site!), but it doesn't say much about the S-1T. I think I agree with you about the S-1S, though. Tom P. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

Patty_Wagstaff Certificates/Ratings/Crew Stations: 3. "RE: Pitts Types" 06-23-02, 23:29z  Hi Tom I agree with Dave in that I prefer the S-1S to the S-1T as well, but if you want to fly unlimited within a short time you probably should consider the T. As far as experimental vs. certified, I much prefer an experimental certified airplane. For a single holer, there aren't any negatives and it gives you a bit more freedom. You have to look closely at the maintenance history of any airplane you buy, and of course if you're buying an experimental airplane do some research on the builder. An experimental built airplane can be better than a factory built airplane if built right. Patty Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

TomParsons Certificates/Ratings/Crew Stations: 4. "RE: Pitts Types" 07-11-02, 15:50z  Patty- Thanks for the advice. Things are getting serious now. I'm presently arranging for a prepurchase on an airplane that hits a sweet spot in among everybody's recommendations. It's an experimental S-1S, with a souped-up HIO-360 (230HP) and constant-speed prop installed. It has the longer fuselage and big rudder. Sounds to me like a T, but for a price between an S and a T! The airplane was built in 1972, and restored in 1992. I can't find the original builder, but I have contacted the current owner (duh!) and the person who did the restoration in '92. I have asked the usual battery of questions about damage history (one nose-over in 1986, BTW), ADs, avionics, airframe/engine times, compression, etc. But if anybody knows of any secret, obscure, telling questions I should be asking, feel free to spill! Tom P. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

Patty_Wagstaff Certificates/Ratings/Crew Stations: 5. "RE: Pitts Types" 07-31-02, 20:03z  Hi Tom How did the pre-purchase inspection go on that great little Pitts you found? Patty Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

TomParsons Certificates/Ratings/Crew Stations: 6. "RE: Pitts Types" 07-31-02, 20:24z  Hi, Patty- Hope your OSH was good! The inspection was put off for a while (grrr). The mechanic who is lined up to do it was away fixing warbirds at Oshkosh! But he's back now, and hopefully there will be something new to report in the next few days. Who knew that getting into flying "hurry-up" machines would be such a great lesson in "wait"-ing?! At least the delay gave me time to get hangar arrangements made. Tom P. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

TomParsons Certificates/Ratings/Crew Stations: 7. "RE: Pitts Types" 08-06-02, 15:11z  OK, I've (finally) heard back from the mechanic on the prepurchase inspection. Overall, the airplane is in very good shape. Mechanically, it looks to be in good order- compressions good, nothing about to fall off, etc. There were a couple of minor squawks, but overall no problems. And the mechanic's scorecard has the airplane rated a 9-9.5 outside, and slightly less inside (mainly because it's a little dirty in there). The mechanic would not hesitate to sign the airplane off as good-to-go for a condition inspection. The airplane was also test-flown. The pilot liked what he saw there, too. It flew hands-off-straight. He also wrung it out through a sequence, and found no bad habits. His only complaint was that the ailerons felt a little heavy, but probably no more so that any other S-1S (he is used to an S-1T, with its symmetrical ailerons). So, I am going out to have a look for myself on Friday. I will go over the logbooks, get an educated walk-and-talk around the airplane with the mechanic, and taxi it around for a while. I am pretty much all set to go ahead and buy the airplane, assuming nothing turns me off when I see it. I have sought advice from many corners, including certain Jedi-Master-types, to see if I've missed anything important. The aforementioned master had a concern that I should be getting into a more "normal" S, rather than this hot-rodded airplane. Any opinions in this regard would be very gratefully appreciated! Tom P. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

TomParsons Certificates/Ratings/Crew Stations: 8. "RE: Pitts Types" 08-14-02, 19:54z  Update: Well, I went out to Indiana last Friday. I talked with the mechanic, sat in and taxied around in the airplane (I imagine it must have been pretty funny to watch me zig-zagging all over the taxiway, trying to go straight with the Haigh unlocked!), went over over the logbooks, and most importantly, weighed the airplane. Turns out the airplane is VERY heavy for an S-1S (~1050lb!), and the loaded CG is pretty far aft. So, beautiful as it was, I've decided to pass on this airplane. Expensive lesson in airplane buying, but I feel wiser for the experience. Now it's back to Trade-A-Plane... Here's a question first, though. What should I expect to see, weight and CG-wise for an S-1S? Let's compare apples to apples, and talk about weight and balance with no useable fuel and no pilot. Tom P. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

Al_Coutts Certificates/Ratings/Crew Stations: 9. "RE: Pitts Types" 09-04-02, 09:47z  Tom - I built a stock S1S (with spring gear, l/w alt, l/w starter) and it weighs in at 845, with oil and a gallon of fuel. Most S1Ss I know are between the 835-860lb mark. Cheers Al England Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

TomParsons Certificates/Ratings/Crew Stations: 10. "RE: Pitts Types" 09-04-02, 14:30z  Al- Thanks for the feedback. It's good to know that there's somebody still awake on this board! I am looking at a nice S right now. It's a factory kit, and weighs a little under 820 pounds! I'm asking more questions this time, but so far I've not heard anything especially troubling. Plans for a prepurchase inspection are in the works. Tom P. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

Ben_Chiu Certificates/Ratings/Crew Stations: 11. "RE: Pitts Types" 09-04-02, 18:29z  Greetings Tom: > Thanks for the feedback. It's good to know that there's somebody still > awake on this board! Oh, we're still here. I guess just recovering from summer still. Ben -= VPC OffLine Reader Version 1.2 =- Registered to: Ben Chiu -OLR.PL v1.78- Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

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