From: gopal@cirrus.com (Gopal Ramachandran)
Newsgroups: rec.aviation.misc
Subject: Re: Pitt's Special
Date: 21 Nov 92 03:33:31 GMT
Organization: Cirrus Logic Inc.

In article <Bxtxnx.HzF@ccu.umanitoba.ca> umpistun@ccu.umanitoba.ca (Brent Pistun) writes:
>
>.... Anyway's, I'm looking for some specs on the various Pitts
>models available and what the difference's are between them.. 

I'll tell you what I can remember about the different models:

S1C	-flat wing, 1 seat, 2 flat ailerons, homebuilt, engines from 85hp
	 to 200hp, FP prop, typically, the cheapest ones, and IMHO, the least
	 desirable (because of the relatively lower performance). It
has good climb rate, but poor inverted performance and high stick
forces in roll (all relative, of course). I have about 30 hrs or so in them.

S1D	-I forgot, but maybe it has more factory parts in it, and I
think it is typically equipped with an 0-360 Lyc. Basically like S1C.

S1S	-symmetrical wings, 1 seat, 4 flat ailerons, homebuilt and
factory-built (though factory's quit building them for the last few
years). More desirable (for akro) because of the better wings and
ailerons. The factory S1Ses are powered by 180hp 0-360 Lycs, have
bungee gear and std tailwheel, canopy, etc. The homebuilt ones can
come with 150 or 160hp 0-320 on upto souped-up IO-360s putting out
230hp. Factory birds have FP props, typically 59" pitch; homebuilts
vary all over from 57" to 62". Best homebuilt machines are far better
than the factory machines, but look for factory frame, good fabric
work, etc etc. All kinds of mods available- Haigh tailwheels, header
tanks, special sumps (to augment the capability of the Christen
inverted fuel and oil system, which should be present without even
saying), spades, spring aluminum gear, akro sights, reinforced
horizontal stabs, extra flying/landing wires, ferry tanks,
wood-skinning on the wings, enlarged rudder and ailerons, symmetrical
ailerons, etc I prefer the FP prop to the constant-speed props (unless
it's an MT prop but that's VERY expensive). You get what you pay for.
Spend big bucks if you can. I have about 500 hrs in these. Medium price range.

S1T	-symmetrical wings, 4 symmetrical aluminum ailerons, 1 seat,
IO-360, constant speed prop, mostly factory built. Good machine if you
want a factory one-holer, though I'd still prefer a good home-built.
Bungee gear, traditional wood and fabric, std tailwheel.

All the S1 models are single seaters with 1150 lb gross wt, I believe.
Get a light one with mucho hp and good, useful mods. People put one pc
cowlings, carbon-fiber spinners, etc etc to save weight, prevent
cracking, simplify maintenance, etc


S2S	-single seater with a 1500 lb gross and 260hp IO-540 Lycoming.
Kind of like a factory S1S on steroids (also has CS prop). Factory
built only. Not as nimble as an S1S or S1T but lots of raw power. I
think the factory only builds these now, maybe the T as well.


I wont talk about the S2A, S2B, S2E as they are two-seaters and not
suitable for competition (unless that's all you got!). Basically they
are all 1500 lb machines but the A has an IO-360, the B an IO-540
(both factory only), and the E is a homebuilt version of the S2A, but
with a 180hp O-360. 

Good luck with your plans!

Gopal

-- 

Gopal Ramachandran <gopal@cirrus.com>
UUCP:  uunet!cirrus.com!gopal
Cirrus Logic Inc, Fremont CA  PH: (510)-226-2138 FAX: (510)-226-2160
Newsgroups: rec.aviation