The Aviat Pitts S-1 is a single seat, high performance biplane. It was designed by Lyle J. “Al” Pitts, Jr. and manufactured in his shop at Aviat’s factory airport near the city of Oshkosh, Wisconsin from 1946 until 1957 when production was discontinued. The aircraft is also called the “Super Stinker”.
The Pitts S-1 is a single seat biplane, which was designed and built in the United States from 1969 to 1971. It’s considered one of the most successful aerobatic aircraft ever made. The Pitts S-1 is powered by a 125 horsepower Lycoming engine connected to an Edo 72 inch three bladed propeller. This aircraft has been used for air shows and competitive aerobatics since it first became available in 1970.
In 1972, Bill Strohmeyer flew this plane upside down at 164 mph over England’s Blackbushe Airport breaking world records for speed and height while inverted. He also set a record that same year when he flew under four bridges near Seattle.
The design features a fabric covered welded steel tube fuselage with aluminum wings bolted to it. The engine cowling and propeller are metal while other parts are wood laminated with aircraft fabric or plywood skinned with aircraft fabric impregnated resin. It has an open cockpit without windshield or canopy for entry and exit as well as a fixed tailwheel.
