Cassutt Racer
Avoid imitations
Joined: Nov 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 15,116
Likes: 1,091
From: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
I remember watching pylon racing at Tollerton about 30 years ago. Exciting stuff - bunch of "loonies"! 
Why was it banned? Accidents or pre-emptive action?
Why was it banned? Accidents or pre-emptive action?
Joined: Jun 2002
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 5,106
Likes: 323
From: east ESSEX
air-racing
Shy-tq, Jun/Jul `73, got a 3rd place in a `Beta` there, Heineken were the sponsors and provided the beer.Loonies ? Well,maybe a little, but you can`t afford to be complacent at 100` doing 200 kts with a bunch of others... it wasn`t banned, most of us just sort of`grew-out` of it, as one needed to be of the `racin-snake`build.... I`m sure you understand ..power-to weight ratio, etc.Syc
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Awesome but Affordable
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 489
Likes: 3
From: Kings Cliffe
Cassutt memories
My first Cassutt trip was by courtesy of Manx Kelly in 1969 at Sibson in one of the Airmark built versions. Liked it.
Second was in Andrew Chadwicks modified version "White Lightning" at Duxford in the early 1990's. Most enjoyable though another pilot who tried it for the first time almost certainly needed clean underwear.
Last was in G-BOMB on a few flights out of Leicester around 1996. Still liked it. I remember formating loosely on the Air Atlantique Historic Flight Twin Pin on departure from Sywell. Very brief since the TP cruise was less than the Cassutt stall speed.
The type is all control and precious little stability with very light control forces about all axes. Probably equivalent to a single seat Pitts in terms of takeoff and landing problems but with a somewhat higher approach speed. Not an aircraft for anyone with little experience.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
My first Cassutt trip was by courtesy of Manx Kelly in 1969 at Sibson in one of the Airmark built versions. Liked it.
Second was in Andrew Chadwicks modified version "White Lightning" at Duxford in the early 1990's. Most enjoyable though another pilot who tried it for the first time almost certainly needed clean underwear.
Last was in G-BOMB on a few flights out of Leicester around 1996. Still liked it. I remember formating loosely on the Air Atlantique Historic Flight Twin Pin on departure from Sywell. Very brief since the TP cruise was less than the Cassutt stall speed.
The type is all control and precious little stability with very light control forces about all axes. Probably equivalent to a single seat Pitts in terms of takeoff and landing problems but with a somewhat higher approach speed. Not an aircraft for anyone with little experience.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
