Pitts S-1/2 Special

  • CountryUnited States of America
  • TypeSingle and two seat competition aerobatic biplanes
  • PowerplantsS-1S - One 135kW (180hp) Lycoming IO-360 fuel injected flat four piston engine driving a two blade fixed pitch propeller. S-2C - One 195kW (260hp) Textron Lycoming AEIO-540 flat six, driving a two blade constant speed Hartzell propeller.
  • PerformanceS-1S - Max speed 283km/h (153kt), max cruising speed 227km/h (123kt). Initial rate of climb 2600ft/min. Service ceiling 22,300ft. Max range with no reserves 507km (275nm). S-2B - Max cruising speed 282km/h (152kt). Initial rate of climb 2700ft/min. Service ceiling 21,000ft. Range with max fuel at economical cruising speed 513km (277nm). S-2C - Max speed 313km/h (169kt), manoeuvring speed 248km/h (134kt). Initial rate of climb 2900ft/min. Service ceiling 21,000ft. Range at 55% power 555km (300nm).
  • WeightsS-1S - Empty 326kg (720lb), max takeoff 520kg (1150lb). S-2B - Empty 520kg (1150lb), max takeoff 737kg (1625lb). S-2C - Empty 520kg (1150lb), max takeoff 771kg (1700lb).
  • DimentionsS-1S - Wing span 5.28m (17ft 4in), length 4.71m (15ft 6in), height 1.91m (6ft 3in). Wing area 9.2m2 (98.5sq ft). S-2B - Wing span upper 6.10m (20ft 0in), lower 5.79m (19ft 0in), length 5.71m (18ft 9in), height 2.02m (6ft 8in). Wing area 11.6m2 (125.0sq ft). S-2C - Wing span upper 6.10m (20ft 0in), length 5.41m (17ft 9in), height 2.02m (6ft 8in). Wing area 11.8m2 (127.5sq ft).
  • CapacityS-1 series seats pilot only. S-2 series seats two, except for S-2S which seats pilot only.
  • ProductionFactory built: 64 S-1S, 61 S-1T, 272 S-2 & S-2A, 358 S-2B, 67 (by 2004) S-2C, 17 S-2S. Homebuilt: 900+

The planner of the first Pitts Special aerobatic biplane, Curtiss Pitts, could barely have liked that his configuration would proceed in creation for a long time, and that it would come to be considered by the overall population for quite a while as the complete aerobatic and showcase flying airplane.

The first model of the S-1 Special first flew in September 1944. The airplane was of steel tube development with fabric blanket over wooden competes, while the two wings were supported with wire. Control in right on time air ship was supplied by 65 to 95kw (90 to 125hp) four chamber Continentals or Lycomings. Later models were higher controlled and of ordinary metal development.

The early Pitts Special airplane were custom assembled, varying in point of interest and powerplant utilized. Samples are e.g. "Little Stinker" constructed for Betty Skelton in 1947 with a 65kw (90hp) Continental and "Dark Beauty" fabricated for Caro Bailey with a 95kw (125hp) Lycoming O-290-D. These models emphasized two ailerons and level bottom wings.

The primary model for which drawings were accessible, from 1962, was the S-1c. Like the first S-1, this model had two ailerons and level lowest part wings. The homebuilder could pick between a few motors of diverse torque.

A second model for which just plans were accessible, was the S-1d. This varied from the S-1c in having four ailerons and a somewhat more fuselage.

Industrial facility creation (at first by Aerotek) of the essential single seat S-1 Special began with the S-1s with a 135kw (180hp) Lycoming IO-360-B4a, driving a settled pitch prop, and emphasizing symmetrical rather than level base wings, with four ailerons. Plans and packs of this rendition were likewise accessible, as the S-1se (initially named S-1e).

The S-1t was acquainted with creation in 1981, and presented a 150kw (200hp) Lycoming (now Textron Lycoming) AEIO-360-A1e driving a steady speed prop and with symmetrical wings with four ailerons. Additionally the wings were advanced 11.5cm (4.5in) contrasted and the S-1s. The S-1t was additionally accessible as an unit, as the S-1te.

The two seat S-2 Special is of the same setup as the single seat S-1 however is bigger in general, and for the most part viewed as a more able aerobatic airplane because of its bigger size and heavier weight, more power and flight optimized progressions. Therefore the S-2 is likewise inherent single seat 195kw (260hp) AEIO-540 fueled S-2s structure (unit form S-2se), while two seat models are the S-2 with a 135kw (180hp) Lycoming O-360-B4a with settled pitch propeller (pack adaptation S-2e), the S-2a with a 150kw (200hp) IO-360-A1a with consistent velocity propeller (unit rendition S-2ae), and the S-2b with a 195kw (260hp) AEIO-540 motor and with wings and arriving rigging made headway 10cm (4in). The S-2b is completely aerobatic with two tenants. The S-2c has air movement optimized progressions including square wingtips, balance and tailplanes, smoothed stomach, refined motor cowl and upgraded windshield. It travels 24km/h (13kt) speedier than the S-2b.

The Pitts Special has been processing plant fabricated by Aerotek, Christen, and right now Aviat.

Arrangements and segments for the S-1c and S-1ss (S-1s with the aileron innovation of the S-1-11b Super Stinker) are as of now accessible from Steen Aero Lab.

Pictures of Pitts S-1/2 Special