PITTS S-2 questions

[svcta]

Can anyone give me a crash course in S-2 pitts? Important differences in the models(a, b, c, etc). I'm familiar with the difference in powerplant differences and things like that, but are there any other differences from a practical stand point as far as day to day use?

Thoughts on powerplant times approaching 1000 hours, and things to look for or know about when purchasing. Any problem for a 6 footer to fit in an "A" model? I know the fuse. is a little smaller than the "B" but not in which dimension.

Thanks in advance to my homies at flightinfo.

 

[mzaharis]

I know Wikipedia is a pretty weak source for some, but it probably gives an accurate list of the subtypes and their major distinctions:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitts_Special

EDIT: Reread your post, and sounds like it probably doesn't give you any information you don't already have, if you're familiar with the different model designations.

 

[mvedepo]

Never been in an A but the B and C are good birds. 1000 hours on the engine is pretty high. TBO is 1200. So if you are going to use it for commercial use then you are looking at dumping $35,000 - $50,000 in a couple hundred hours. Overhaul times in aerobatic airplanes can vary dramatically. A lot depends on how much throttle jockeying has been done to it. Now between the B and the C, the C is a much better airplane inho. It has a higher gross weight by about 100 lbs. It lands better, rolls better, and climbs great with the Claw prop. You will pay for it however. A decent C is going for around $180,000 used and a decent B can be had for around $80,000 - $90,000. One thing to watch out for on the B is the shovels/spades. They are on the bottom of the lower wing and are prone to damage. Look around the attachment point on the shovel/spade itself to make sure there is no cracking around it. Another thing that Pitts are prone to do is shed the canopy. On the release I suggest using a bungy chord to secure it so it wont work itself free. This is so frequent that most if not all insurance companies will not cover it anymore. Thats a $4,000 lesson thats best never learned the hard way. Also, as with any fabric airplane, make sure is free of punctures or holes. If the plane was used to give a lot of rides the step area near the front seat is prone to damage. Anyway, try to get someone with some Pitts experience to do a pre-buy.