Mon, Feb 09, 2015
The EAA And IAC Will Celebrate The 70th Anniversary Of The Great Pitts Special Aerobatic Biplane
The International Aerobatic Club (IAC) has announced that this summer will mark the 70th anniversary of the first test flight of the Pitts S-1 by Curtis Pitts himself. The first Pitts S-1 took flight in 1945 and it wasn’t long before it became world recognized as one of the greatest acrobatic airplanes ever built.
The little airplane acquired the name of “Little Stinker” and was made famous when legendary aerobatic pilot, Betty Skelton, hit the airshow circuit in her Pitts S-1 in 1948. That’s Betty in her Pitts shown in the photo to the left. At the time, it was the smallest aerobatic airplane in competition, and it now hangs in a place of honor in the National Air and Space Museum. Skelton was once quoted as saying about the Pitts, “I didn’t just sit in that little airplane; I wore it. If I sneezed, it sneezed with me.”
This aircraft went on to become one of the premiere aerobatic aircraft of all times and continues to enjoy an active life in the hands of competition and recreational pilots around the world. It remains one of the iconic aircraft types in aerobatic history and made possible the foundation, growth, and expansion of IAC in the 1970's. Its importance to aerobatic development cannot be overemphasized.
To recognize this beautiful airplane and all the models that have followed since the first S-1 took to the air, EAA and IAC will celebrate this 70th anniversary with special displays at EAA AirVenture 2015 in Oshkosh, as well as forums and airshow demonstrations. IAC members who would like to celebrate the anniversary by bringing their Pitts to Oshkosh are more than welcome. IAC will announce soon the logistical details of this project and would appreciate the support of Pitts owners who would like to join us in this special week of activities during AirVenture.
All of us who attend EAA AirVenture this year will look forward to seeing what we hope to be a grand display of these great airplanes.
(Image from the National Air and Space Museum website)
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