Sorry if this has already been discussed to death here. I have been getting acro training with a guy (Adam Cope) in his Super Decathlon for about a year and a half. I just flew my first competition a few weeks ago at Warrenton, Virginia (Sportsman Level) and had a great time. I've been bit bad by the bug.

So now I'm looking to purchase a single-hole Pitts. I've got a little dual time in an S-2C and I really like how the Pitts flies. I start my Pitts transition training with Bill Finagin this Saturday.

So here's my question -- S-1S or S-1T? All else being equal, I would lean toward the S-1T because of its constant speed prop, but I'm told that the performance advantage of it's prop is offset by the 80 or so extra pounds of weight in the nose. So perhaps the only real advantage of the constant speed is to avoid overspeeding the engine. I guess there are also S-1S's around with constant speed props too. I'm told that the S-1S will snap and spin equally well to the left as right, but perhaps not so with the S-1T.

So, any comments? Can anyone make a strong argument one way or another? Does anyone know of an especially nice one for sale? Thanks!

-- Scott Francis

• RE: Pitts S-1S vs. S-1T,Patty_Wagstaff, 16:02z, 11-02-03

Hi Scott

I don't know of any good Pitts' for sale, but I'm sure there are a few out there. Just make sure you get a very good pre-buy inspection before you buy one, and from an experienced Pitts mechanic.

There are advantages to both the S and the T. The T has more performance than the T. The constant speed prop actually stores energy and gives you better performance, although if you get a T I'd recommend you go to an MT rather than a metal prop. The metal props just aren't good for the crankshafts when you put any kind of torquing load on them.

There are also some excellent S's out there. The choice really depends on what you plan to do in competition aerobatics, how far you want to go, what your goals are etc.

Also, don't discount a "homebuilt" Pitts as opposed to a factory-built Pitts. There are some fabulous Homebuilts out there, as good or better than the factory versions.

Not much help, but hopefully a little.

Patty