Pitts S-1S

The Pitts Special is an iconic aerobatic biplane that has captivated the aviation world since its inception. Conceived and built by aviation designer Curtis Pitts in 1944, this small, agile aircraft quickly set the standard for aerobatic performance. Its distinct design, characterized by a short fuselage and high power-to-weight ratio, allows for exceptional maneuverability and has made the Pitts Special a favorite among aerobatic pilots for both competition and exhibition flying. Over the years, its design has evolved through various models, each enhancing its capabilities and solidifying its status as a symbol of aerial agility and performance. The Special's enduring appeal lies in its combination of simplicity, performance, and the sheer thrill it offers in the skies, making it a true classic in the realm of aerobatic aviation.

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While the design of the Special has been refined continuously since the prototype's first flight in September 1944, the current Pitts Specials still remain close to the original aircraft in concept and in general design. The type dominated world aerobatic competitions in the 1960s and 1970s, and even today they remain a potent and competitive aircraft in the lower level categories.

In 1949 and 1950, US pilot Betty Skelton won the Feminine International Aerobatic Championship in the second Pitts aircraft built, affectionately called "The Little Stinker". That aircraft is now on display in the National Air and Space Museum in the USA. Through-out the 1950's Pitts built several more examples of the aircraft, some for other female aerobatic pilots, but it was not until the early 1960s that the design really took off. A number of interested amateurs convinced Pitts to release a set of construction drawings of the aircraft, and the Pitts Special was on the way to becoming a common homebuilt aircraft and household name.

Originally registered as ZK-PAC, this aircraft is a single seat Pitts Special built for, and owned by Pam Collings from October 1976 to October 1981 (when it was transferred to a new owner in Australia as VH-PUG). Pam used this Pitts to make history as the first woman to represent New Zealand in the 1976 World Aerobatic Championships in Kiev (USSR), although bad weather en-route meant she missed the actual competition. Four years later she realised her dream to compete when she attended the 1980 World Aerobatic Championships, at Oshkosh in the United States.

In 1962 Curtis Pitts started to sell plans for the aircraft and since then many examples of the type have been successfully home-built. However, this aircraft is one of the factory-built models produced by Aviat Aircraft in Afton, Wyoming (USA). After a succession of owners in Australia, the aircraft returned to New Zealand skies in 2019 as ZK-PUG.

The design and performance of the Pitts Special allows for incredibly tight loops and rapid roll rates, making it a highly competitive aircraft in aerobatic events. It has been particularly successful in the hands of skilled pilots who have pushed its limits in various aerobatic maneuvers. The special aerofoil design of the wing gives the aircraft similar characteristics in both normal and inverted flight.

This aircraft is now owned and flown by Andy Love, an enthusiastic aerobatic pilot who helps organise a number of aerobatic events in New Zealand.

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