Glad you guys like my 'Pilot' article on the '52 this month, guys.
If you've read it, you'll know my views. The 52 is an amazingly charismatic and powerful beast. I've not flown a Pitts, but IMHO it hardly has the 'prescence' of a 52. Nothing short of a Merlin sounds as good IMHO. Don't know haw Pitts aeros compare - anyone offer a comparison?
It has air start because it's designed to operate in VERY low temperatures. Batteries would just die, and any interia system, where a flywheel is run up then applied to the engine (a la Harvard) would probably result in metal shear in V low temps. The air system works well, but I must admit to feeling a bit vulnarable if away from base at a place with no top-up facilities. I would't fancy hand-swinging it if I managed to use all the air and still didn't start it.;~(
It is superbly engineered - only down side is high fuel consumtion at aeros power. But it's worth it!
I, too, have flown with Genna at Halfpenny Green. Highly recommended. That guy is THE Yak man in UK and will teach you loads.
Don't even think of jumping into a 52 without a very comprehensive check out. they are different!
It's my dream machine.
SSD