This week, aerobatic airplanes, production models only.
First up, we have the venerable American Champion Citabria, a conventional gear, high wing utility stressed to +5/-2 g and easy on the wallet. Next on display is her grown up cousin, the Super Decathlon, a Citabria derivative adding inverted flight capability as well as a chance to actually get somewhere. We get a little racier – and a whole lot more expensive – with the Aviat Pitts Special, with an optional second seat and two wings, for those who can’t do without and don’t mind a bit of tricky rudder work on landing. We can’t forget the Yakovlev Yak-52, a fully aerobatic Russian two-seat, tandem trainer capable of +7/-5 and a 180 degree per second roll rate. For those with a serious jones for flinging ‘em about all regardless, we present the Extra E300 and the Sukhoi Su-26, either of which will allow the discerning aerobat to set his hair on fire, albeit at almost unreachable prices.
Well, what’s it going to be?
I had to vote for the Super Decathlon, mostly because of thechoices my only experience is with the Bellancas. I do like the looks of a Pitts though. When I was a kid I worked at the Stead Airport during the Reno Air Races and got to fuel and talk to the pilots from the Christen (sp?) Eagles, whose planes were really Pitts knock off/improvements.
What happen to the Christen Eagle?
Or the Super Chipmunk (RIP, Art Scholl)?
Are they no longer in production?
Well, I excluded the Christen Eagle because it’s a homebuilt (e.g. not a “production” model). You start throwing EA aircraft/homebuilts in there, it’d be like voting for an Italian president.
The Super Chipmunk is easy: I forgot.
Extra 300 because if you’re gonna dream, dream big.
Also, I hear when you buy one Patty Wagstaff comes to give you your upgrade training.
Hmmm….never flown anything more complicated than a kite; but I sure like the looks of the Pitts Special. Also, the Pitts and I are about the same age. Gotta be something in that.
For most folks (ie, not competing at the Unlimited level or flying airshows), the Pitts is plenty good enough. It requires a pretty high level of taildragger skill in the landing phase, but the rewards are worth it. Sure, you have to invest in eight inches of plastic tubing to refuel it, one of many quirks that belie its age, but boy, is it fun.
Lex,
the Red Bull Air Race needs some NAVAIR representation………how ’bout it?
I like the way you think, Ray. Now if we could just talk NAVAIR into a little agreement…
You can’t just make a decision by reading specs and brochures. Ya gotta kick some tires.
Heh heh…
Seriously, come up to King City, just south of Salinas, and check out Sean D. Tucker’s Tutima Academy of Aviation Safety. (www.tutimaacademy.com/).
Pitts S-2B/C or Extra 300, take your pick. (Me, I’d be fine with a Citabria.)
Nice guys, they’ll even talk to an old guy flying a light sport.
Which wouldn’t be you.
Just in case I was ambiguous.
Easy as pie for a country boy and Bajador surfer.
Citibria.
If the budget allows: Super Decathalon.
Upside down is fun but getting a little mud (sand) in the tires is where the real adventures begin.
Easy as pie for a country boy and Bajador surfer.
Citibria.
If the budget allows: Super Decathalon.
Upside down is fun but getting a little mud (sand) on the tires is where the real adventures begin.
How about a CJ-6?
It’s like a Yak-52, only better-looking, faster, and more fuel efficient, for about the same money. The gear actually retracts, instead of just going forward to look ugly.
And when the money comes in? You can bolt an M14PF right up to the front.
start here!
My dad had a 150HP Citabria. Orange. Just a lot of fun. You only go around once in life.
Lex, I have a buddy in EAA up in Watsonville, CA that can get you in a CJ-6 pretty easy – he imports them and reconfigures for US flight. Loved the flights I got in ‘em.
My 4 year old son is a huge fan of any kind of plane and we were watching the Red Bull race on TV the other day and MacGyver even remarked that he thought you (Lex) should go fly for them.
The Extra is fantastic but my vote is with the Super Decathlon. Great fun, with pricing that’s not in the stratosphere and can be used to go places.
Giles 202?: (+ – 10G)
http://www.inverteddownunder.com/home.htm
Red Bull Air Race Qualification maybe later.
I threw in with the Pitts just to stay with the list, but my choice would be the Zivko Edge 540: http://www.zivko.com/edge/index_edge.html
Kirby Chambliss: out the door 3 times a day for practice. The vids on YouTube are pretty spectacular.
My aerobatic pilot friend (http://jonmelby.com) says you can get a 300 for around 200-250 (thou) used… That’s what I got my ride in although he uses a Pitts for his shows
Personally Lex… here’s my vote! Maybe a little bit of sweat involved…
http://www.raptoraviation.com/aircraft%20spec%20pages/A4.html
Ever consider the Cessna 400. They claim its the fasted single engine, piston powered fixed gear aircraft out there. And, is made in the USA!!!
http://www.cessna.com/?cr=adcopy&kw=Flash
BT: Jimmy T Sends
Elegant, historic, timeless…
http://www.buytigermoth.com/