TYPE: Tandem-seat biplane/kitbuilt.
PROGRAMME: Designed by Curtis Pitts and originally named Macho Stinker and, later, Pitts Monster. Design started in 1994; construction of prototype began 1996; first flight March 1996; first delivery April 1997. A 'high-performance' version has been added to the range.
CURRENT VERSIONS: Model 12: Baseline version, as described.
High Performance: Strengthened version with shorter fuselage and wing spans. As standard Model 12, except where noted.
CUSTOMERS: Total of 75 under construction in nine countries: Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Lithuania, South Africa, Sweden and the USA; plus 220 sets of plans sold in a further six countries. Total of 16 flying by October 2003, including one each in Canada and South Africa.
COSTS: Kit US$47,995; complete aircraft US$185,000 (2003).
DESIGN FEATURES: Traditional Pitts design, optimised for aerobatics; contours dictated by M-14P radial engine. Wire- and strut-braced wings of unequal span; upper wing mounted on cabane; single interplane strut each side; wire-braced tailplane and fin. Quoted build time 2,500 hours.
FLYING CONTROLS: Conventional and manual. Rod-connected ailerons on upper and lower wings. Flight-adjustable trim tab in each elevator.
STRUCTURE: 4130 steel tube fuselage; wooden spars and ribs; fabric covering.
LANDING GEAR: Tailwheel type; non-retractable. Optional mainwheel fairings. Aluminium sprung main legs; mainwheels 6.00-6 in; Cleveland disc brakes.
POWER PLANT: One 265 kW (355 hp) VOKBM M-14P or 294 kW (394 hp) P.14PF nine-cylinder radial engine driving an MT three-blade constant-speed propeller. In 2003, the option of fitting a 224 kW (300 hp) Textron Lycoming AEIO-540 or 246 kW (330 hp) Textron Lycoming AEIO-580 flat-six was added. Fuel capacity 204 litres (54.0 US gallons; 45.0 Imp gallons) in 68 litre (18.0 US gallon; 15.0 Imp gallon) wing tank and 136 litre (36.0 US gallon; 30.0 Imp gallon) fuselage tank. Oil capacity 15 litres (4.0 US gallons; 3.3 Imp gallons).
ACCOMMODATION: Pilot and passenger in enclosed cockpit under one-piece Perspex canopy hinged on right side. Fixed windscreen.
SYSTEMS: 14 V or 28 V battery.
DIMENSIONS, EXTERNAL (A: Model 12; B: High Performance):
- Wing span: upper: A: 6.71 m (22 ft 0 in)
- B: 7.01 m (23 ft 0 in)
- lower: A: 6.40 m (21 ft 0 in)
- B: 6.71 m (22 ft 0 in)
- Wing chord at tip: 1.07 m (3 ft 6 in)
- Length overall: A: 5.99 m (19 ft 8 in)
- B: 6.25 m (20 ft 6 in)
- Max width of fuselage: 1.07 m (3 ft 6 in)
- Height overall: 2.97 m (9 ft 9 in)
- to top of upper wing: 2.51 m (8 ft 3 in)
- Tailplane span: 2.44 m (8 ft 0 in)
- Wheel track: 2.29 m (7 ft 6 in)
- Wheelbase: 4.42 m (14 ft 6 in)
- Propeller diameter: 2.49 m (8 ft 2 in)
- Propeller ground clearance: 0.36 m (1 ft 2 in)
AREAS:
- Wings, gross: A: 14.01 m² (150.8 sq ft)
- B: 13.94 m² (150.1 sq ft)
- Ailerons (total): 1.88 m² (20.21 sq ft)
- Fin: 0.34 m² (3.69 sq ft)
- Rudder, incl tab: 0.63 m² (6.82 sq ft)
- Elevators, incl tab: 0.68 m² (7.30 sq ft)
WEIGHTS AND LOADINGS:
- Weight empty: A: 703 kg (1,550 lb)
- B: 669 kg (1,475 lb)
- Baggage capacity: 18 kg (40 lb)
- Max T-O weight: 1,043 kg (2,300 lb)
- Max wing loading: A: 74.5 kg/m² (15.25 lb/sq ft)
- B: 74.8 kg/m² (15.32 lb/sq ft)
- Max power loading: 3.94 kg/kW (6.47 lb/hp)
PERFORMANCE:
- Never-exceed and max operating speed (VNE, VMO): 207 kt (384 km/h; 239 mph)
- Max cruising speed: 178 kt (330 km/h; 205 mph)
- Econ cruising speed, 75% power: 152 kt (282 km/h; 175 mph)
- Stalling speed, power off: 56 kt (103 km/h; 64 mph)
- Roll rate: A: 220°/s
- B: 300°/s
- Max rate of climb at S/L: more than 914 m (3,000 ft)/min
- T-O run: 76 m (250 ft)
- T-O to 15 m (50 ft): 91 m (300 ft)
- Landing from 15 m (50 ft): 274 m (900 ft)
- Range with max fuel: 525 n miles (972 km; 604 miles)
The article appears in the following publication:
Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2004-2005. Jane's Information Group Ltd. 2004. ISBN: 0-7106-2614-2
