Affordable aerobatics?

[hawkercpt]

RV's are great, but over the time the costs can get pretty extensive. Are there any low cost aerobatics kits out there?

 

[Vector4fun]

Basically, you can buy a Citabria or S1 Pitts for less than you can build anything worthwhile. I've seen Pitts' advertised in the high $20s. About the price of a new O-360 and prop. Not for the timid taildragger pilot though.

Citabrias are in the $30s, but you can take your other Mistress along, and it's a bit warmer in winter.

 

[d.fitz]

A pitts is a bit intimidating but not as hard as people would make you think. Go to Budd Davisson for your checkout if you get a pitts (www.airbum.com). His ad says he can teach anyone to land a pitts - I have read his articles and he is very knowledgeable. Check this for info on the s-1's (http://www.airbum.com/Pitts/ThePittsSpecial.html)

Problems with a Pitts are - re-covering which should be done every 10 years, and finding an acceptable mechanic who knows what not to do - like leaving a pair of pliers in the belly! And, of course, have a very knowledgable person do the pre-buy inspection...

Affordable aerobatics though, are two words that shouldn't be used together : )

this is all IMHO, I am a pitts fanactic and am buying an S-1S within the next year. There are Pitts' and there are other aircraft and the two should not be confused. : )

 

[ShawnC]

Pretty much agree with what everyone posted above. You can find some S-1's for a pretty low cost, even something like a S-1C can take a skilled pilot through sportsman, possibly into intermediate.

 

[hawkercpt]

Thanks guys. I may have to widen my search a bit.

 

[FracCapt]

Thanks guys. I may have to widen my search a bit.

How do you expect to be able to land a taildragger like a Pitts when you can barely land a tricycle gear airplane?

 

[The_Russian]

Try the Steen Skybolt. It can be built faster and more agile than the Pitts S-1. N3HW is the company flagship and is rated at over 350HP. Plus, it is two place for more fun with friends.

www.steenaero.com

 

[psysicx]

What about a yak-50?

 

[hawkercpt]

How do you expect to be able to land a taildragger like a Pitts when you can barely land a tricycle gear airplane?

doh!!

Your buying next time.

 

[urflyingme?!]

Hey guys, I've seen the lower cost Pitts', but what about those pitts that cost 200K, WHAT GIVES!?

 

[ShawnC]

Hey guys, I've seen the lower cost Pitts', but what about those pitts that cost 200K, WHAT GIVES!?

Those are most likely the newer models such as the S-2B and S-2C (along with some S-2S's), which have the AEIO-540's, bigger engine, higher cost.

 

[FracCapt]

Hey guys, I've seen the lower cost Pitts', but what about those pitts that cost 200K, WHAT GIVES!?

Those are certified airplanes....and 2 place. The S1 is a single seat homebuilt. The best part about flying an S1 you didn't build.....is you never know how well it was really built. Think about THAT when you're pulling 6g's.

 

[urflyingme?!]

Ahh, two good aswers. Makes sense.

 

[hawkercpt]

Those are certified airplanes....and 2 place. The S1 is a single seat homebuilt. The best part about flying an S1 you didn't build.....is you never know how well it was really built. Think about THAT when you're pulling 6g's.

Can't be any scarier than when we go to work and get one from MX.

 

[hawkercpt]

How about the Thorpe, Sonerai or the Midget Mustang?

 

[brett]

An Acrosport I would be another possibility - around 20K, sometimes less. Barnstormers seems to have about one or two 20K single place acro planes listed per week.

 

[imacdog]

You could look into a RANS S-9, yes they are small and most are two stroke powered but I have seen one fly at Sun n Fun and was impressed with the show that the pilot put on. You can find used examples dirt cheap.

 

[Snakum]

Acrosport II ... seen 'em less than 30K ready to go. Of course ... if you didn't build it ...

Think about THAT when you're pulling 6g's.

Isn't that why you're wearing a chute though?


Minh

 

[ShawnC]

Isn't that why you're wearing a chute though?

True, but I don't know about you, I think it may be a little hard to get out of a Pitts, particularly when it takes a can of Crisco to get all but the thinnest pilots into the cockpit.

 

[Ill Mitch]

Try the Steen Skybolt. It can be built faster and more agile than the Pitts S-1. N3HW is the company flagship and is rated at over 350HP. Plus, it is two place for more fun with friends.

www.steenaero.com

I don't know about being more agile. An S-1 with 180 or better hanging off the nose will fly circles around a Skybolt. Don't know about the 350hp skybolt. I've only flown the bolts with 180 and a 260 on it. I've flown S-1s with anything from 150 to 220.

The Skybolt is an ok machine for aerobatics. Seems to lose a lot of energy while going over the top in a loop or any vertical manuever.

For just flying around and doing "gentleman" aerobatics, it is a decent airplane. I would choose a Pitts over it tho. Lighter on the controls and more responsive.

 

[JungleJett]

I was PM'd about offering some input about the Yak-50 and I apologize for the late response. I own a Yak-50 and could not be happier. I know a lot of guys that have flown everything from Super Cubs to Spitfires that have also flown the Yak-50 and without exception, they all absolutley love the Yak-50!

It really is a mini-fighter that is a very capable aerobatic airplane. In fact, it was built specifically for competition aerobatics and is a world champion airplane.

The basics:
Single Seat
Gear, Brakes, Engine Start is all pnuematic.
About 1900 lbs GTOW
No flaps
360 HP radial (do they make another engine?)
Cruise fuel flow..12-13..playing..23-25
Not much range..250 miles maybe
3000 ft a min climb with a standard prop and even better when you hang a three blade on it. You add some horses (up to 450) and it will climb at better that 6000 FPM.
Typical Russian, very simple and solid
Parts are pretty easy to get.
Insurance..depends on hull value (ex. 75K is about $2,000) and my insurance guy has a 50!
Prices run from 65K to 90K and they are going up as people learn about these airplanes.

Landing...cannot take much of a crosswind and floats if your not on speed (55 knots).
Takeoff in less than 400 feet and land in less that 600. Hold on!
Stressed to +9 -6

The -50 should really be considered as a awesome aerobatic airplane! It maybe a little more money but **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**,,,that radial, that WWII fighter look, that performance....you get a lot for not a whole lot.

If someone is really interested in a -50, I know most of them and can point you in the right direction and keep you from making some of the mistakes I made.

You really will not be disappointed.

Check out this links for some shots of some -50's from around the world.
http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search

What about a yak-50?

 

[Folding_Expert]

Super Decathlon!

 

[Huggyu2]

The one problem for ME with the Yak-50: single seat. I want to be able to take folks up and show them how fun flying can be.
That said, the Yak-52 (while not a -50) looks pretty good. I got a flight with a friend and loved it. I even think I could afford one.
If they do a two-seat version of the -50, can someone chime in on how good it is or isn't?

 

[realityman]

HawkerCPT, you never really said what you wanted to DO with the aerobatics. If you just want a fun aerobatic machine and aren't looking to compete, then I currently own 2 aircraft that would be just fine for a decent price. First, I have a Pitts S1-C. I agree with everyone's post about the plane, plus if you do decide you'd like to compete it's a decent plane for that stuff. I've only got 135 ponies on the front and it's an adrenaline-inducing rush!

My other plane is an EAA Bipe. I think a couple other people mentioned the Acros. Basically the same plane. It's not the rush that the Pitts is, but for fun, basic aerobatics it does just fine, plus very affordable. I just had both planes annualed, and my bill was less then $1900 FOR BOTH, including some minor repairs.

The Pitts, with 135 HP and an Ellison throttle body, burns about 6GPH. The EAA Bipe with 125 HP burns 8GPH. Considering fuel costs they aren't too bad.

 

[JungleJett]

There sort of is a two seat version of the Yak-50. The -52 TW or TD is a tailwheel version of the -52. I personally would stay away from the TW. They are nice but they are scary expensive at over 150K. I just dont think you get much of an airplane for the money. Now, the Yak-52 is a great ride and VERY capable of some good aerobatics. It is not a Pitts or Extra, but d@mn they are fun.

I too ran into the problem of the second seat but found a way around it. I know someone who has a 52 that wanted fly my 50, so...we swap on occasion! Life is good!

The one problem for ME with the Yak-50: single seat. I want to be able to take folks up and show them how fun flying can be.
That said, the Yak-52 (while not a -50) looks pretty good. I got a flight with a friend and loved it. I even think I could afford one.
If they do a two-seat version of the -50, can someone chime in on how good it is or isn't?