page_title: Stits SA-2A Sky Baby
section_title: Operational history
hierarchical_section_title: Stits SA-2A Sky Baby / Operational history
caption_attribution_description: English: Stits Sky Baby
context_page_description: The Stits SA-2A Sky Baby was a homebuilt aircraft designed for the challenge of claiming the title of "The World's Smallest".
context_section_description: The aircraft was test flown by Bob Starr on 26 May 1952 at Palm Springs, California. The short coupled aircraft was originally built with tricycle landing gear, which was dropped in favor of the lighter tailwheel arrangement. The aircraft required a 170 lb (77 kg) pilot to remain within the center of gravity and was only flown by pilots Starr and Lester Cole that met the criteria. The landing procedure uses 125 mph (201 km/h) entry patterns, with 80 mph (129 km/h) on final approach, and 55 mph (89 km/h) touchdown speeds. The aircraft performed publicity flights to promote an airshow act. It was retired in October 1952 after 25 hours of flight time.
  The aircraft was eventually donated to the National Air and Space Museum for display. Ray Stits was a mechanic and Second World War fighter pilot, but claimed he was not an engineer. He went on to develop several home-built designs, including the Stits SA-3A Playboy, which would be the basis for the VanGrunsven RV-1 and thousands of Van's Aircraft.
caption: Stits Sky Baby loaded with room to spare in the Smithsonian's transport trailer at the Stephen Udvar Hazy Center
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