Flying the Pitts

A full flight from the first person camera point of view with 2 objectives: test idle mixture settings on the engine and practice 3-point landings at Camarillo and Santa Paula then perform some aerobatics. Along the way you will share in the mind of a Pitts pilot talking to himself, critiquing himself, singing out loud and having sidebars with himself. Recorded with the camera microphone to capture the natural sounds...Enjoy!

[@PeterPan-iz1kk]

So cool! 🙂 Thanks!

[@rp6523]

A brilliant video. I dream of owning a Pitts S1 someday (I'll never be able to afford an S2 in the UK) and stuff like this is lovely to watch. Also, love the term "knucklehead"!

[@mikefox3542]

Excellent video with a hilarious soundtrack !! Thanks for sharing. (and thanks for comments on Facebook to help a Pitts rookie)

[@clydeohara1052]

That has been my favorite plane all my life. I own quite a few biplanes which are RC Models Gas jobbies. I love the color scheme on your plane it is beautiful. I am maden flying an S12 Pitts with a DLE 55 cc gas engine this Thursday hope to get some video. I have over 30 Planes built and have about 60 kits still to build, from War planes to biplanes and sport areobatic. I love your flat spin record it is awesome your the best. Thanks for all this. Clyde from Canada

[@rinzler9775]

Great video - love that first person perspective - seeing this done using a go pro 360 degrees cam would also make an awesome video.

[@Jhtrader84]

Awesome video thanks! I'm flying out at Santa Paula this weekend, doin some tail wheel refreshing. I hope to one day fly a pitts!

[@russanderson6965]

Thank you so much for the memories.. Use to fly to Santa Paula from Compton Airport every weekend when I bought a Super Decathlon from Screaming Eagles.. 5503H flew it for 2 years and upgraded to a Pitts S1 ... I think about my Pitts all the time like it was my wife..lol .. have not flown for 25 years since my Dads passing on April 4 1992 in a BD -5 dangerous aircraft from the beginning .. ugh I look now and see your post is on April 4th ? God sending a little message.. I drove to Santa Paula 2 years ago and saw this super decathlon on the ramp yellow in color 5503H i was the owner of that aircraft back in the 80s when it was green and black..I put the spades and speed kit on it ..lol WOW WOW... found it again and the owner of the flight school who owns 5503H told me the positive history of events this aircraft has brought to the public..blessings . I was shocked to see it again.. gave me chills all day.. got a free shirt of the plane and left for home.. I can send you pic if you like ? [e-mail] Thanks again Spencer .. Russ

[@ssairshows]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@REDMAN298]

BD-5 and Gee Bee are on my bucket list. My last airplane was an RV-4

[@jesusb1405]

Sir you are exactly the person I want to become when I get older

[@nocturnalmayhem0]

i love the pitts, youre lucky id love to have one outside of a rc model lol

[@alexanderdavila4087]

That’s a beautiful pitts

[@gregc6661]

Understood. Thanks for the great video, wish I could've been up front!

[@rinzler9775]

They say the aerobatics in the Pitt dont really start until you touch down.

[@Rwalt61]

Beautiful airplane. Interesting video showing what you guys do. How many airshows me and my dad and brother have went to.

[@AirGuitar]

Hilarious! And Awesome!

[@60221412]

Masterclass!

[@texstar77]

The guys in the tower gotta love

[@fed8925]

Misses seeing yeah at KRAL'S airshow. Clear skies!

[@mouser485]

27:25 Is that the stall horn making that noise ? You pretty much hear it from base all the way till touchdown. I can understand the stall horn coming on during the flare until touchdown but never heard it during a turn from base to final. Maybe some of that noise is wind across the canopy ??

[@ssairshows]

The stall warning horn in a Pitts is the single most useless thing, never works right, and annoys the pilot. It's only there because the FAA requires it.

[@rcLawnDartPilot]

You the guy that chased me over Fillmore VOR last May? Had an inverted Pitts like yours follow the Cessna I was flying in. Not mad at all, just found it funny to be in a "dogfight" scenario with a Pitts. I fly out of KCMA as well.

[@ssairshows]

Were you the guy NOT on the frequency, NOT position reporting , and getting in the way of a published aerobatic practice area while it's hot?

[@rcLawnDartPilot]

Spencer Suderman hmmm. Flying just outside of the aerobatic box and was on VFR flight following with Mugu Approach. Thought it was one pilot having some fun with another. Didn'nt know I was dealing with an ass. Cool video by the way.

[@drwhat4395]

Hello Spencer. I have a Skybolt with an IO 470 engine. My plane is a bit sensitive to temperature and landing speed. On a hot day I need to come in fast. Flying alone on a hot day I come in no slower than 75 knots normally 80. Hot day with a normal passenger with me I may be coming in at 95 knots. If the days heat index is high and my weight is high the plane will drop too fast. I need to come in fast. I was wandering if the Pitts is similar?

[@pattisweeden3049]

Wheeeeeeee!

[@marcelmaria804]

what motor is in it?

[@clydeterry2289]

🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔 You know, it would be nice to be able to see in front of the pitts without doing the s turns. I wonder if you could put a camera on the front. And name it Taxi-cam You would have a monitor. On top of your dash-And a camera on top of the wind. Put the camera in a arrow dynamic frame. Mounted on top of the wind.🤔🤔🤔 Man if I was rich the things I could come Up with I do have great ideas a ton of them.

[@sizzelot]

what model pitts is this?

[@coalachaos6486]

44:09 I CRACK UP!!!

[@SunnyIlha2]

The endurance, range? Load capacity?

[@ssairshows]

Range is 250 nm if you cruise at 140 mph indicated at 2000 RPM leaned to 11 GPH at 8500'-9500'. Endurance is 1 hour 45 min. load is two people and a small duffel bag.

[@PDZ1122]

Do you really want a stall warning horn in an aerobatic airplane?

[@ssairshows]

It's a certified Pitts S-2B plane. My experimental Pitts S1 does not have one.

[@grahammorgan6380]

Hello my t

[@kirbylee57]

Why do you wear gloves? They are just a hindrance for me. Nomex?

[@pitts3219]

Y wear gloves?

[@ssairshows]

Those are double layer nomex gloves. In case of fire they keep your hands usable to rescue yourself. I fly with them to maintain consistent feel for the controls always.

[@gregc6661]

Dude you have to ratchet-strap yourself in? How do you get out quick enough in an emergency?

[@ssairshows]

You can't see the dual quick release latches on the waist belts in this video.

[@27aerobatic]

goober