Vertical Climb and Landing Blind! Pitts Model 12 PIC check out

Highest Power to Weight Ratio I’ve ever Flown!
Proudly associated with ForeFlight: www.foreflight...
In this episode we’re doing some advanced #FlightTraining with Jared #Flying the Pitts Model-12 from Gambit Aviation!
Not only do I learn to land it blind from the back / PIC seat, but we also cover energy management, exploring the Incredible Kinetic VS Potential energy this thing generates.
It's a cool throwback to a super early video where I was dialling in what "Flight Chops" ultimately became: Sharing a very diverse collection of aviation training and experiences - and we're flying with Jared again for the first time since 2015!
They’ve got the only Extra 330LX currently available for solo rental - That doesn't exist anywhere else on the the planet (that we know of) :)
To learn more about how you can fly here, visit:
flygambit.com/
Previous 2015 #Aerobatic episodes with Jared if you missed them:
• Aerobatics - Extra 300...
• Advanced Aerobatics - ...
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FLIGHT CHOPS DISCLAIMER:
I am a "weekend warrior" private pilot, I fly for fun with no intentions of going commercial. I have had my PPL for over 15 years, but still consider each flight a learning experience - I generally take detailed notes after each flight to remind myself what went well or what I could do to improve.... Having GoPro cameras to record flights like this is invaluable. I find these self analysis videos very helpful in my constant quest to improve, and am happy to share. Feedback is invited; however, please keep it positive.
Visit www.FlightChop... for behind-the-scenes content, epic giveaways and to search episodes by aircraft type!

[@richard1472]

This is very much like flying my RC Super Skybolt, except for the backwards turning motor. Designed for a 10cc motor, I use a 15 CC for power, and a tuned pipe for more power. Smooth glass and power up the wazoo, she's a dream to fly. 3D pilots need not apply. Blue skies and fair winds, Steve! Gawd, I love my airplane!

[@therealjimmysworld]

HEY!!! I know that guy! Super great fun and you landed it way better than I ever could.

[@FlightChops]

Glad you enjoyed this one, and thanks yeah - it's like landing a really fast Stearman.

[@ajl9791]

What an awesome teacher… would love to fly with him. So much fun… what an airplane

[@davidgrainger5994]

I have the same engine on a 1931 Great Lakes. Just importing it now. It should be in the air this spring. Ferry pilot tells me it climbs at 3500 feet per minute. Jim Moss built the plane in the 2000s.

[@richyrichk]

285 hp version with the chinese toothpick prop, right?

[@a-spears]

3:00 Tip from an A&P, when you open spring loaded latches, catch the part the flips open so it doesnt ram against the stop, its satisfying but reduces the life of them

[@FlightChops]

Thanks for the insight here.

[@rvrnnr987]

This one brings back the memories of really learning tail wheel. For some reason, the size of the plane, the camera angles, the speed; you really feel it when watching. Thanks!

[@nevervne]

Steve - yet another fantastic video and you are an absolute master of your craft. I had a blast flying with you again after all these years, and I'm super excited to have you back shortly for the RV and the Extra!

[@rustysrides]

I love Jared and John!!! I did some acro in the t6 with Jared and got my tail wheel with John in the 140!!!

[@frede4u]

Wow!! -what an experience and super cool plane!! I flew with Jared back in the Gauntlet days (77KW). A flight I'll never forget... the Ekstra was incredible, and flying with Jared was so cool. He let's you do everthing with the plane in a safe, professional and relaxed way... I'll have to visit Gambit Aviation next time I'm around.

[@blancolirio]

Great episode Steve! I always admired this final Curtis Pitts design…but I wondered/worried about that engine. Juan Pitts S1-C

[@FlightChops]

Thanks Juan!

[@cobra427driver]

I'm hoping to have my Model 12 done by next summer. BTW...MT is currently 10-12 months out on a prop. Mine should be here after the first of the year. Right at 11 months... You doing this video has motivated me once I get some more parts!!!

[@iesikhaty]

This Physics nerd enjoyed the Potential Energy Vs Kinetic Energy argument for converting engine power to altitude and a better view!! That takeoff deck angle was pure bananas!! I went "Whoa" when you firewalled the throttle - that engine roars!

[@clarencewiles963]

I needed to say that you find fun 😂just around the corner. From slow to fast. To just outright fun. And thanks again for letting us come along.

[@FirePilot2020]

That’s amazing - I’m so envious! When I found out about Gambit/the flying club after watching some of NeverVNE’s videos I started looking at houses in the area to see how realistic relocating would be. Well done as always!

[@westnoble1020]

Little late to the party, but I remember that episode with Jared a long time ago! Still one of my favorites today. Glad to see him again.

[@FlatOutFE]

Awesome. Jarod seems like such a good teacher. Thanks for taking us along for the ride.

[@papawheelie5835]

What a blast that must've been! I've had the privilege of numerous flights in a Pitts S2B with 300HP but this one, wow, what a monster!

[@07decker]

wow, what a beast. Love your content Chops. I used to live very close to Burlington airpark and flew allot out of there in the 2000's Spectrum

[@triedproven9908]

Takes off like an ultra stol and flies like a fighter. Great content and as always super informative.

[@SmittySmithsonite]

I am in LOOOVE with that aircraft!! That thing is AMAZING!! It has it all! Nice job as always flying something new, Steve - you've certainly got a knack for flying ANYTHING! Perfect landings every time! 👍👍 Was fun to watch! I can only imagine how much fun this was in person. 😎

[@FlightChops]

Friendly feedback appreciated as always!

[@SmittySmithsonite]

@@FlightChops Great videos also appreciated, as always, brother! 🍻

[@ianhearn2890]

I put mine on as per stolspeed’s instructions and had a much better result picked up 5kts on the cruise and 7kts on the stall

[@bunkkasponge]

This is my new faviorite video without no doubt! I wish I could sit in my seat (couch) whatching (doing) what this capable airplane can do.

[@Micg51]

Good ol Aurora. We would base our survey planes there for months. Never saw those aerobatic planes the numerous times I was there though.

[@derekwolfe6182]

Great content!! Will keep me glued to your channel for ever. Thanks for the inspiration!!

[@guyoreilly5670]

Same rate of climb in my A150M Aerobat.... Yeah, right!!! Fantastic flight, great power.

[@gordonfeliciano4315]

What a gorgeous aircraft. Also, your instructor is a great teacher. Fly safe and fly often!

[@youdoyouplayer8529]

Jared seems like a great instructor.

[@joce0993]

Amazing flight sir. That was a pleasure to watch. I only get to do stuff like that on MFS2020 with my VR, gotta a be an amazing feeling to experience that in real life. Bravo!

[@bennettkisla2862]

So cool! Gambit aviation is a great group. I did spin training with them in the Pitts S2B. Great people and a great experience.

[@drewbrown7513]

Hahaha the go go go got me. This is my favorite video you’d made

[@FlightChops]

Heh, yeah - that was likely Jerad nudging me to not be THAT gentle with the throttle, as the end of the runway (which we couldn't see in the 3 point attitude) was approaching sooner or later after the touch and go, so I needed to get off the ground and climbing.

[@pnzrldr]

Doing Stearman training right now, and love wheel landings so would miss that, but the power would be cool. Still acclimatizing to G-s and acro - working to continue past rolls and wingovers. This would be interesting - curious if the power helps make up for the control lag - 'I suggest you roll over' as opposed to, 'roll now.'

[@FlightChops]

Enjoy the Stearman!

[@ryankrueger3446]

So much fun to fire up a M-14 radial!

[@ChrisB257]

This was quite something Steve - what a blast! That's another of many experiences to add to the memory banks. That take off roll - wow. Next for Flight Chops --- acro displays :)

[@goatflieg]

WOW! One of my favorite episodes ever. And I thought I was cool flying with Budd Davisson in his S-2! Gotta love those Russian radials and their air starts. That takeoff is insane! When I get my CanPass sticker I'll have to visit Jared at Gambit. The interrupted Sentry pitch made me laugh out loud; Sentry rocks! You rocked that loop. Now that I've got some hours in the RV-8 (77+) all the procedures connect with me much better than they had in the past. I was about to post my latest flight video but saw you had this up, so had to watch it first. So glad I did; this was a great surprise. As always, thanks for sharing!

[@FlightChops]

You don't need canpass to see Jerad (assuming you'er coming from the U.S. - he's based at KARR :).

[@goatflieg]

@@FlightChops Oh... well I guess I know where my next destination flight will be!

[@danielmoss2394]

That was so much fun. Thanks for the fantastic ride Steve.

[@climber5150]

I had the same smile on my face watching this that I get after flying aerobatics.

[@FlightChops]

that was the goal :)

[@DavidReese2ndA]

What a Cool Airplane..

[@BellyUpFishGarage]

Model 12 is a bucket list aircraft for me. Nice video.

[@Jasshands1]

This was such a cool video. Motivated me to keep chugging along the pilot path. Seems like a cool plane but if you not careful that thrust could bite you

[@birds_eye_view]

Fighting the reflex to push forward during go-around. 😁

[@FlightChops]

Exactly!

[@davegalegor2865]

A Pitt's with a Radial....AMAZING!

[@davew7250]

Awesome teacher…Awesome student.

[@AviatingWithMel]

What an amazing machine, I want one!

[@FlightChops]

You and me both! :)

[@marcpigeon7796]

Absolutely wonderful vid makes me miss flying so much 🏍🇨🇦

[@FlightChops]

Glad you enjoyed it Marc!

[@leeCann]

Awesome video Steve! Absolutely one of the best I can remember and I have to be among one of your early followers . (1st year or two)

[@FlightChops]

Right on! Thanks for sticking around Lee!

[@gtr1952]

1800# / 450hp 113" prop? ( 9 feet 4 inches!) All I can think is wow!! 8) --gary

[@FlightChops]

Can confirm it = Wow!!

[@kingjamez80]

Dang this is just incredible. I have to do this.

[@luuk341]

That is one BEASTLY aircraft!

[@Aerocommander1991]

Outstanding video Steve as per usual.

[@FlightChops]

Glad you enjoyed it Rob!

[@mickfly70]

Chops. That was an awesome vid mate. Unfortunately I lost a good mate in a pitts model 12 crash in Auz a few years back. I’ve steered away from aerobatics since but Jared with his relaxed composure did an amazing job of instructing you thru those manoeuvres. Keep up the good content. If you’re ever in Victoria or Vancouver look us up and I’ll take you for a spin in an Otter on Floats (Harbour Air)

[@elainethorne4344]

So very sorry for the loss of your good mate. May he Rest In Peace.

[@parker73711]

well done!! that looked fun!!

[@farfetch7]

Great episode!

[@FlightChops]

Glad you enjoyed it! And thanks for being a long time subscriber - 8 years! You've been here since the early days.

[@michaelguy7168]

Wow, Fun plane. Love your videos.

[@rowanditcham9617]

That is so exciting,love it👍👍🇿🇦🇿🇦

[@ColeAviation]

What a great video! Looking forward to finishing the Model 12 I got in the shop now. 😁

[@FlightChops]

Good luck!

[@ColeAviation]

@@FlightChops Thanks bro!

[@pursueadventure]

This plane looks like a ton of fun!!

[@matthewmyers9745]

Wow, what a machine

[@terrytomlinson8772]

Very enjoyable and informative video

[@FlightChops]

Thank you Terry!

[@charleyharlan979]

I have never heard of an air-bottle start.. I honestly thought we were going to see a huffer connected to GA bi-plane.. That's one way to draw some attention to yourself on a ramp.

[@cavu22]

I loved flying the Model 12. I believe the landing gear is Titanium and is strong yet light.

[@iflyc77]

Great video! I love your flights with Jared. I got to buzz him in the B29 when he was in the pattern with the Extra this Summer and would love to go do some more advanced acro with him. Now I am really looking forward to the T6 video you guys have in the works.

[@nevervne]

Curt! Let’s go flying!

[@FlightChops]

Glad you enjoyed it! Definitely get out to fly with the team at Gambit if you can!

[@SimonAmazingClarke]

Exciting

[@Sometungsten]

That was fun :-)

[@thehoeser]

mmmm...god dayum... imma need to fly that.

[@swim2kill]

1800 lbs. 485 hp. me likey. 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@grahamthebaronhesketh.]

Good video.

[@Aran2323]

That thing gets off the ground SO FAST. On your first takeoff the plane practically lifted off before you even finished pushing the throttle forward!

[@FlightChops]

For sure! No doubt I may have been closer to the upper limit of how slowly you need to advance the throttle, but I didn't want any surprises while adding power the first few times.

[@The_Joker_]

Buzzjunky ❤

[@karlsailor]

God, that'd be fun

[@TurnNBurn110]

This airport is local to me, I knew I recognized that bird!

[@ForFunFlyer]

What a rocket?! 😎

[@CRAZYHORSE19682003]

This would be a lifelong dream for me but as a disabled vet I don't think I will ever get to fly in anything other than Microsoft flight simulator.

[@smokeonaviation2369]

Awesome video, only critic is Curtis designed a model 14 after this. It was not his last design.

[@FlightChops]

Oh interesting - I’ve never heard of that - I’ll look into the model 14

[@smokeonaviation2369]

@@FlightChops Pitts museum in Arizona has 1, one in my hangar. Zero flying yet. Very similar, but straight wing bit shorter fuselage.

[@billbrisson]

Awesome flying Steve! how I know it's been a while since you flew Harv's Air's Pitts, but how does it compare? think I'll fly my RV6 to St Andrew's tomorrow and enjoy the last nice day before winter well and truly sets in here!

[@ManleyArts]

So Jelly. So Jelly. I'm Jelly.

[@whisperingeagle]

Pretty cool flying. When are you gonna fly a soaring trike ? Thats a different flying exsperiece

[@snowman100]

After every flight on these great planes, do you pinch yourself every night? And do you get in that mood of telling your experience to your kids with excitement? Dude you are living my dream, minus the cameras of course😁

[@FlightChops]

Yes and yes 😎 And also the cameras are a PIA honestly 🤡 - but a necessary evil to allow me to have these opportunities, and then share them.

[@snowman100]

@@FlightChops and we really do appreciate your sharing. Love the videos. Keep em coming!

[@15vaugbr]

Not sure is this is the correct platform to contact you sir but figured I’d give it a shot. First I’d like start by saying I love the KZbin videos. You’ve had me hooked since the tail dragger videos with Dennis almost a decade ago! My wife and I are considering immigrating from the U.S. (Ohio) to Canada and I wanted your opinion on a subject. I am a FAA certificated A&P working on an IA. I understand through conversations with friends that getting that transferred to a Canadian ticket can be quite the endeavor. However, that does not hinder my desire to do so. I was curious on what region of the country you would recommend for someone like me to continue working on GA aircraft as opposed to large carrier work? We are looking for life away from large cities but not completely detached from society. I appreciate any correspondence and again, thank you for your work, it’s thrilling.

[@canidule]

143 heartbeat per minute while sitting seems too high

[@FlightChops]

Haha - I didn't even notice that - what part are you seeing that?

[@canidule]

@@FlightChops nevermind it was 1:43pm, im used to 24h watch

[@iheartwheelies]

I think I've spiked that evading flashing lights whilst on a rocket in my crotch. I'd love to try this one day

[@fuffoon]

Curtis would roll over if he knew there was a 485hp Pitts.

[@francisschweitzer8431]

Like flying a big yellow three wheeled go kart

[@sotecluxan4221]

Luffit!

[@djdecember1]

You should interview the guy who showed him his first roll.

[@geebskerbal2771]

can you do a video or link a video on how someone who is a paraplegic with no control of their legs could fly a plane or modified for someone with disabilities

[@YouTubeCatEngineer]

Steep initial climb like that can kill you if the engine quits immediately after takeoff. There is no way to transition to a glide with the nose that high. This happened to a Pitts pilot at my home field. Steep climb engine quit jammed the stick forward immediately but he just fell out of the sky into an open field. Destroyed his plane luckily he got away with a busted ankle. He was trapped in the wreckage for a good hour before he was cut free. Fire would have killed him. I fly S-2B and after takeoff I always keep the plane just out of ground effect until I'm at least 100 mph then climb. You are much safer 20 ft in the air level with 100 mph than 200 ft in the air nose high at 70 mph.

[@FlightChops]

Glad your friend was ok. I appreciate your feedback and insights on this. A hybrid approach to managing energy in the initial climb seems to be a good compromise to avoid risk here.

[@jdkoozer]

Question I have not heard the name Pitts in Decades is this part of the Original company that made the Kit called the Eagle Decades ago or ST1 ? Or what the 1980's Ray Ban Gold team used to Fly ?

[@colinwallace5286]

Too bad you never got to pilot Draco before it got crunched. It had a similar sort of launch, which is a good word for it.😏

[@JimsPlanesandTrains]

Hey Steve, when was this filmed? I might have been in the pattern with you😂

[@FlightChops]

Right on - it was the afternoon of Sunday the 13th of Nov. First we flew the model 12, and then the T6 before sunset.

[@JimsPlanesandTrains]

@@FlightChops ah, I wasn’t at arr on the 13th, I’ve been in the pattern with that plane before though! Was amazed at the performance

[@yojohanhugo]

Can someone explain the prop controls? Is there an ability to change the angle of attack? If so, what’s the advantage

[@FlightChops]

Think of it as a manual transmission, but instead of gears, it is changing the pitch from fine (low gear) to course (high gear), and thus effecting the RPM. A more complicated aspect is that the governor maintains the RPM, thus calling it a "constant speed prop, but that's a larger conversation. Basically, think of it like this: For take off, you want full fine (1st gear), then for climb you decrease the RPM, by puling the prop back a bit more course, to like 2nd gear... Then for cruise you shift into a more course pitch, like 5th gear. When you slow down for landing, you'll go full fine with the prop, so you're ready in 1st gear in case you need to go around. Hope that helps.

[@yojohanhugo]

@@FlightChops definitely helps, thank you!

[@myoung5655]

I L(O*100)VED this video. :) thanks!

[@evansnyder8461]

As soon as he said Russian it explains the pneumatic start. Russian love their air for some reason

[@zachansen8293]

"what you're feeling is acceleration not g"... sigh. pilots are not physicists, huh?

[@FlightChops]

Welp... I knew what he meant... But if you're able... please offer a better explanation of how to understand the opposing / related forces, and why one was masking the other... or whatever?

[@johngilbert7933]

Presumably he means by G the vertical (downwards, relative to the airframe) acceleration; whereas by acceleration he means the horizontal (fore and aft, relative to the airframe) acceleration, or shove. Increased shove in the back reduces the vertical component by shifting the vector aft.

[@txnetcop]

Incredible aircraft!!! WOW!

[@iheartwheelies]

Dude I stall my small light sailboat all the time when am just making tac's upwind and I feel like I ALMOST know. This must be a frigging riot

[@Mendo707mx]

Love the model 12, a fantastic aircraft!