"My son and wife bought me a ride in the acrobatic plane for Father's Day. I can't describe the excitment, and fun. My son and grandson also bought a ride, and they were thrilled beyond their wildest expectations."
--John Margrave
"As a professional freestyle motocross rider, I'm used to doing hair raising stunts...I can't tell you what a rush it was to ride with Patrick while he flew his manuvers! Thrilling doesn't begin to describe the fun. I'm definitely going back for more."
--Mike Margrave |
 The Aircraft
Our aircraft is a 1985 Aviat Pitts S-2B, U.S. registration N877UP. It is a fully-certified 2-place aerobatic aircraft. The aircraft is built extremely strong yet only weighs in at 1200lbs. This is about the same or less than your standard Cessna trainers that have engines that produce less than half of the power. Pairing the powerful Lycoming engine with an all-composite MT 3-blade 80" propeller, allows us to climb straight up and hover, or tumble end over end.
The Engine
The engine  is a Lycoming aerobatic 540 cubic inch horizontally-opposed 6-cylinder, with fuel injection and an inverted fuel and oil system. It is specifically designed for aerobatics and produces 260HP. This is the most powerful engine available for the Pitts today, providing an awesome thrust-to-weight ratio.
The Prop
An after-market upgrade, the MTV-9 3-blade constant speed prop allows the aircraft to draw lines vertically for hundreds of feet, or stop and hang motionless in the sky. The composite blades have less mass than their metal counterparts expanding the limits of controllable flight and putting less stress on the powerplant.
Safety
Aerobatics can be performed as safely as straight and level flight, as long as it is done in an aircraft designed and certified for aerobatics, and under the control of a pilot properly trained to perform aerobatics. An aerobatic airplane is built much stronger than a normal aircraft, and a properly-trained pilot is familiar with flight and recovery from all attitudes. Statistically the most dangerous part of riding with me will be driving to the airport in your car. Safety is our highest priority. The airplane is maintained to strict FAA requirments by a licensed mechanic, and the aircraft is thoroughly inspected before each flight. Before we will take you for a ride in our plane, it will have to be safe enough that we would put our loved-ones in it.
Comfort
If you enjoy roller-coaster rides, you will absolutely love this! An aerobatic ride is like an endless roller-coaster minus the jerks and bumps, and the best part is you can control it. We will tailor the ride to your expectations, you can experience the stunning scenery through the bubble canopy, or we can climb, spin, tumble, and perform the wildest manuevers you see performed at an airshow. If you are comfortable flying in a small-aircraft, I can guarantee that you will enjoy the ride - no matter your experience or comfort with aerobatics.
|
