Cool video of my 18-year old student flying my Pitts Special

[con-pilot]

Very impressive young man. Be proud, a job well done Dad.

 

[Check 6]

Well done! Great stick!

I was fortunate enough to have access to a Pitts S2B a few years ago. They are a dream to fly. The owner gave me aerobatic instruction in it which is something that should be required of all pilots. I only learned the very basics but enough to keep me out of trouble in the future and build confidence.

 

[Tram]

Niiice.. My pops has been talking about opening up an aerobatics school. Maybe I can just get him to teach me.

 

[VVJM265]

Great flying; cool video! Thanks for posting.

 

[UndauntedFlyer]

Is the Pitts Special an easy airplane to fly?

The Pitts is a demanding airplane to fly, especially when landing because the pilot can not see forward when in the landing attitude. A slight drift into a crab may not be noticed and then on touch down, because of the short distance to the rudder, it is too easy to overcorrect, resulting in a ground loop. This can happen to anyone if contration is lost.

When it comes to flying a Pitts Special, training and practice, as in any airplane, is the answer.

 

[mcjohn]

Wow. The plane and pilot sure can take some abuse. Negative G loops uke: !
There were a couple scenes in there where it looked like the ground was rushing into the frame (just an illusion of course) while the plane was spinning/tailsliding. Kind of made the hair stand up on the back of my neck.
I can do about half of that stuff. The other half always resulted in a crash when I tried it. Sucks rebuilding my RC plane so often.

What are the pilot's plans for a career? Pretty amazing to be flying airshows at the age of 18!

 

[AV80R]

Great video, the guys seems to truly love it - good for him!

 

[Benhuntn]

Very cool think what he could do with an F-22 and a Mig in his sights!!!! He is a natural. I would have a major headache after all those neg. G's

 

[Dubya]

That would be correct in this case.

Let's see now....where did I put those adoption papers?

Now i'm going to sit on my bed and pout 'til I get a Pitts for my birthday.

Great music choice.uke:

W

 

[TEXAN AVIATOR]

Great video! Thanks for posting it.

 

[twepilot]

where is this located??? ie. the scenes not shot at a show.

RV

 

[UndauntedFlyer]

The video was shot live at an airshow in Marion, IL, with some shots edited in from an in the cockpit camera.

 

[twepilot]

I'm surprised I didn't notice it was KMWA. I spent a lot of time through there with Trans States. Great video!

RV

 

[UndauntedFlyer]

I'm surprised I didn't notice it was KMWA. I spent a lot of time through there with Trans States. Great video!

RV

I think a few shots may have been edited in from video shot at a practice aerobatic box in Pinkneyville, IL. That location is about 20NM NW of KMWA.

 

[mcjohn]

How do I get a practice aerobatic box where I live?

 

[LearLove]

If this isn't the truth I'll take it back, but I've been around enough in this bizz to see:

another kid with daddy's $$$. I doesn't take special skills, just $$$. Its the simple truth.

 

[mcjohn]

$$$ is good. More power to them.

Not all skills take $$$ to develop. But $$$ can help develop many skills. Wish I had some. You only live once!

 

[UndauntedFlyer]

If this isn't the truth I'll take it back, but I've been around enough in this bizz to see:

another kid with daddy's $$$. I doesn't take special skills, just $$$. Its the simple truth.

This is an interesting question. I don't think you mean any offense, maybe so but I'll assume differently. So the question is: Given enough money what percentage of people could become pilots and eventually learn to fly a Pitts Special as in the video to an FAA Level I Unrestricted (Surface) aerobatic waiver?

Well first let’s look at what percentage of the general population could even learn to fly? I would guess 90% to a Private Pilot level, 75% to Commercial Pilot level, 60% to ATP level, and 50% to an ATP airline pilot level. Now as far as aerobatics are concerned that's something totally different. I would estimate that to safely be able fly a basic aerobatic routine in a Decathlon it would be 60%, in a Pitts the number is 20%. And to fly the advanced maneuvers in a Pitts as shown in the video 5%, and to fly those maneuvers to an FAA Level IV airshow waiver the answer is 4%, to a level III the answer is 3%, to a level II the number is 2%, and to an FAA Level I Unrestricted surface waiver in a Pitts Special as in the video the answer is 1%. That is my best guess.

So really it's a special skill to be able to fly as in the video and only 1% of the population has that ability. I can say that while I like to fly aerobatics, I am not one of the 1% that can earn a Level I waiver and fly a Pitts as in that video, no matter how much money is available. I do believe the 1% estimate is correct.

So while "LearLove" says it doesn't take special skills, just $$$, I know that isn't true. Money is necessary, but it's the skill more than anything else in this case.

Maybe others can comment on this too.........
Especially those with aerobatic experience, military, IAC or airshow waivers.

Maybe "LearLove" will be encouraged, as he says, to take back his comment if he's convinced t do so by other Board members.

Questions, comments are welcome....

 

[UndauntedFlyer]

How do I get a practice aerobatic box where I live?

These are difficult to get because of noise and other concerns that people have. The first step is to contact the local FSDO for help and the proper paperwork. You should also contact the International Aerobatic Club (IAC) at IAC.org.

If you live in a rural area it will be much easier..

 

[twepilot]

hey lear,

Your espousing that there is money over talent in this instance indicates your amateurish thought process as well as a complete lack of understanding of anything related to high performance aircraft. Further, your post indictes a level of jealousy that is outright boorish.

RV