Sad news - Curtis Pitts

[stiknruda]

I learned earlier this evening from Kevin Kimball that Curtis Pitts passed away today.

I never met Curtis - though I did attend his birthday party in Alabama last year. A sad day for light aviation and aerobatics.

It is strange but over the last ten years that man has influenced the course of my life more than any other. He signed a photo of my homebuilt S1S - a very nice keepsake, thanks Wylie 2112.

Stik

[Pitts2112]

My pleasure, Stik. A sad day for sure. In an odd way it makes last weekend even more poignant. It's a shame because I had hoped to send him a copy of the team photo and the lineup at Tollerton to share with him what an impact he's had on our lives. All the best to his family.

Pitts2112

[futurshox]

Sad news indeed.

[G-KEST]

So sorry to learn of Curtis passing away. He had a fine innings and we all have him to thank for his classic and iconic designs in this the 60th anniversary year of the very first Pitts Special.

The Pitts family of sport biplanes will serve as his memorial for decades to come.

A magic man indeed. I cherish the tale of how the design exposition to the FAA for the S2A to go into certificated production was so written that the first letter in each of the first 11 paragraphs spelt out "F**k the Feds...................!!!!!!!!". What a sense of humour.

Last weekend the formation flyout with around a dozen Pitts biplanes of various types from Leicester to Nottingham was arranged to celebrate the diamond jubilee. Curtis would have loved it.

Thanks to an American friend here is a recent photograph of Curtis with one of his designs -
http://www.pittspecials.com/images/curtis1.jpg

A modest but immense personality in the worlds Aerobatic Hall of Fame. Thank you for all your designs and your contribution to our sport.

Trapper 69
:(

[DubTrub]

Very sad..Curtis used a lot of Taylorcraft parts for his first Pitts. He and Duane Cole were great friends too.

Rob (Taylorcraft driver)

[G-KEST]

Curtis Pitts, Maker of Famed Aerobatic Pitts Special, Dead at 89

By Lisa Orkin Emmanuel Associated Press Writer
Published: Jun 10, 2005






MIAMI (AP) - Curtis Pitts, who created the popular aerobatic biplane known as the Pitts Special, died Friday, his family said. He was 89.
Pitts died in a hospital on Friday of complications from a heart valve replacement, said his daughter, Martha Holder.

In 1943, Pitts, of suburban Homestead, built the first Pitts Special.

"Pitts began with an idea for an aerobatic aircraft that would defy gravity and be crisp on the controls," the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum in Washington says on its Web site. "The resulting Pitts Special was revolutionary because of its small size, lightweight, short wingspan, and extreme agility."

Each part of the plane can be broken down and shipped in pieces as a kit, reassembled at home by the owner.

The prototype Pitts, S-1, was severely damaged shortly after its first flight.

The oldest surviving Special, called The Little Stinker, is also the smallest Pitts aircraft, and when constructed in 1946 was the smallest aerobatic plane anywhere, the museum said.

Aerobatic pilot Betty Skelton won several championships in the late 1940s and into the '50s with The Little Stinker, bringing attention to the design.

But the Pitts Specials really took off in the 1960s when people who were impressed by Skelton's flying persuaded Pitts to create and sell construction drawings, the museum said.

In 1966, Bob Herendeen was named U.S. National Aerobatic Champion in his Pitts, the museum said, solidifying the plane's reputation.

The museum said the Special is still the most successful and recognized American-built aerobatic design, and it continues to dominate aerobatic competitions.

Pitts' daughter said she will remember Pitts "as my father, the most understanding man in the world ... and the wisest and gentlest."

Pitts is survived by his two daughters, eight grandchildren, six great grandchildren and six great, great grandchildren, Holder said.

[djpil]

See also this link to a newspaper article in 2003. (http://www.curtispittsflyin.com/DothanEagle.htm)

[G-KEST]

A note from Curtis' local International Aerobatic Club chapter -

As you all know, Curtis Pitts was laid to rest this past Wednesday in Naranja, Florida (Homestead).

Future members of IAC Chapter #37 (sanctioning pending) participated in a memorial fly-by and missing man formation.

The family couldn’t have been more pleased, and about 35 of them drove out to Homestead General Aviation Airport afterwards to check out the participating aircraft. Some had never seen a Pitts Special up close before! One of his great-grandaughters went for a ride in an S2B and had a blast. Considering the circumstances, it was a happy occasion for all involved!

The service was highlighted by testimonials by many of Curtis’ close friends and associates, including Pat Ledford, Will & Craig Teft, Don Lovern, Paul Goetsch and many family members. Although flying and aerobatics were a great part of Mr. Pitts life, his great passion for fishing and his distain for Game Wardens were brought up again and again!

Special thanks to the following pilots for their participation:
Jeff Miller – North American T-28A
Tommy Boreck – Pitts S-2-B (missing man)
Dan Salcedo – Pitts S-1-11-B (Best Biplane at Sun-n-Fun 2005)
Chris Kirk – Pitts S-1-C/S
Dale Evans – Acroduster II
Stan Holland – Super Cub (rebuilt by C. Pitts)
Jon Fox – Extra 300L
Doug Causey – Extra 300L

The service was attended by members of the FAA , and they along with about 100 others will swear that at no time did any aircraft violate any FAR’s……………!

It seems to have been a grand sendoff. He will always be remembered as long as any of his designs continue to grace, or occasionally assault, the skies right round the world.

Cheers,

Trapper 69


:( :(

[Confabulous]

Sadly missed :( Something of a legend, past, present and forever.

Only consolation is that he's left a fine legacy for the next designer.

Conf