>
>How do you find the Extra spins when compared to the
>Pitts? Is there anything I can do to make the Extra enter
>the spin more aggressively? And finally, does it matter
>in competition how abruptly the spin is entered?
>
>Thanks.
Hi there
Well, your observations are interesting and seem right on to me. I would agree with them, but also would say that the Extra has different spin characteristics. It's more stable than the Pitts and so doesn't tend to transition from upright-inverted or inverted-upright as easily (which can be a good thing for a neophyte akro pilot), but makes it important for the pilot in competition to use very specific techniques to make the airplane look aggressive in the competition environment.
I would suggest you play with power to hold the nose up before the spin. Get the nose up higher than you would in a Pitts and hold a bit of power in, but make sure you don't have too much power as the Extra - being a monoplane - requires more "energy management" in the competition/airshow environment.
Have you had coaching/critiquing yet? What category are you flying?
Patty