A ride in a Pitts is something you won't forget. If you've ever had the desire to experience aerobatics, I can guarantee that the Pitts and your flight with me will exceed all of your expectations. If you’re up for a thrill, but a little hesitant about riding in a small aircraft please keep reading.  Unlike a roller-coaster you can control the intensity and the length of the ride.  Each ride is tailored for each passenger, all you have to do is tell me what you want and it will happen.   We can go up and enjoy the beautiful scenery, or loop, roll, and spin until your heart’s content.  You are in complete control at all times!

I have over 2300 hours flight experience and over 1000 hours as a flight instructor without a single incident.  I have received the best possible training, and safety is always my number one priority.  I will always do everything possible to guarantee that you will have an enjoyable and most importantly safe flight.   

What your ride will be like

Each ride is approximately 20 minutes.  I know this sounds short, but imagine being able to stay on the best roller coaster in the world for 20 minutes.  Before you approach the aircraft you will be given a full safety briefing.  During this briefing you will be taught how to properly wear a parachute, how to enter and exit the aircraft, and all emergency procedures.  Although you do not have to have any experience you should be comfortable with small airplanes and be in descent physical shape. 

Passenger Requirements:

Must be at least 12 years of age, and 58” tall.
Must be in descent physical shape.  (Entering and exiting the aircraft requires agility, and the cockpit is rather tight)
Maximum Weight 240lbs.

Pre-Flight Briefing

Once you have received your briefing and are comfortable with wearing a parachute and the emergency procedures we will climb into the cockpit.  You will be required to empty everything from your pockets before the flight also.  Since we will be upside down we can not have cell-phones and pens and pencils flying around the cockpit. As a passenger you will sit in the front seat and I will sit in the back.  You will climb aboard first by stepping on the lower wing in the area painted black and holding on to the handle in the center of the top wing.  Once you are standing on the lower wing you can step into the front seat with both feet, and then simply slide down into the seat.  Once inside there is plenty of leg room for anyone less than 6’4”.  You now have to buckle your 5-point harness and then your back-up lap belt.  Make sure you use the restroom before the flight because you the harness must be worn very tight and you will be miserable if you have to use the restroom at all.  After I check your harness and make sure you are comfortable I will strap in to the back seat and begin the start-up check list. 

Start-up and Taxi

The first thing we will do is close the bubble canopy, and go over the where the emergency releases are located.  The canopy must be closed in order to start the engine which means that it often gets very warm in the cockpit until we takeoff.  After insuring the prop is clear of all people and obstacles I will start the engine and call for taxi clearance.  After receiving a clearance we will taxi to the runway and prepare for take-off.  I will do everything I can to minimize the time from starting the engine until we takeoff; however there are often delays out of my control and it is possible that you could have to sit in a hot cockpit for more than 10 minutes (This is not part of your 20 min flight.)  As soon as we takeoff the airflow will be more than sufficient to cool the cockpit on even the hottest days. 

Takeoff

After we are cleared for takeoff we roll onto the runway and unleash all 260HP.  The aircraft will accelerate quite rapidly.  Since it is a tail-dragger you will not be able to see much until we begin the takeoff roll.  At about 50mph I move the control stick forward and allow the tail to start flying.  This will lower the nose and allow you to see straight ahead.  At about 75mph we will leave the ground and begin flying.  After leaving the ground we will begin climbing at about 2000’ per minute.  The nose is about 30 degrees above the horizon at this point and you will be able to watch the earth disappear below us very rapidly.  The airspeed will continue to accelerate up to about 120mph, and we will level off about 5000’ high and fly to the nearest available aerobatic area. 

The Ride

After reaching an aerobatic practice area and our desired altitude we will clear the area and make sure there are no other aircraft in our vicinity.  The first thing I will do is gently roll the aircraft upside-down.  This will allow us to make sure our harnesses are tight and no foreign objects are floating around the cockpit.  After this first maneuver we are at the top of the hill and ready to start the ride of your life.  It is completely up to you how we continue from here.  There are endless maneuvers which are quite enjoyable and place very little stress on your body.  If you want more, we can spin, snap-roll, and on a case by case basis I will demonstrate gyroscopic maneuvers.  The S-2B is capable of unlimited aerobatics so it can thrill even the most experienced aviator.  We will have approximately 10 minutes in the aerobatic box to do whatever you want.  If you want I will even let you take the controls.  Even the most experienced aerobatic pilots don’t practice longer than 10 minutes at a time so I’m quite sure you’ll get all you want.  After your grinning ear to ear we will head back to the airport and enter the landing pattern.  I will perform all landings so all you have to do is sit back and relax.  However, it is very important that you don’t touch the rudder pedals with your feet.  After landing we and taxiing in I will get out of the plane first and then help you out.  You exit the aircraft with your parachute still on, and remove it once you are clear of the aircraft.  Printer Friendly Version