First aerobatic experience

[eharding]

Originally Posted by sapperkenno

I was told by some people who know what they're talking about, that the days of biplanes are over, as they roll too slow because they have "all that wing".

Cough...splutter...heresy!

You'll note that both the Standard and Intermediate UK National Championships this year had the highest overall scores delivered by a Pitts S2A and S2C respectively, beating plenty of monoplanes in the process, and it wasn't that long ago that an S2A won the Advanced UK national championship. A higher roll rate is only of benefit if you can stop the roll precisely on axis, and above a certain level it can become a hinderance.....and anyway, nothing comes close to the sheer immediate feel of a Pitts, particularly in single-seat form.

That being said, in terms of absolute roll-rate, the sheer amount of aileron you can hang from a carbon wing vs. what you can safely put on the wire-braced wing of a Pitts will mean that the maximum rate of roll of the monoplane will always be higher.

[Zulu Alpha]

I was told by some people who know what they're talking about, that the days of biplanes are over, as they roll too slow because they have "all that wing". I would have thought smaller length wings and 4 ailerons would equal more roll, but apparently not.

Not a Biplane to be seen this week at WAC apart from the one that ferries judges up and down to check the cloudbase. Biplanes do quite well at Standard and Intermediate levels but hardly feature at Advanced and Unlimited levels

There are several reasons

Biplanes have more drag.
Biplanes are small so cannot be seen as clearly as the larger monoplanes.
I'm sure there are other reasons.

Its not just about roll rate, but the ability to stop precisely as well. The CAP222 had a roll rate that was too fast to stop accurately and Alan Cassidy reduced the stick movement to slow it down and make it more controllable

I think Stiks point was that the first roll was sloooooow and the 2nd one was fast. How fast depends on how fast you can say elephant.!!!

It does sound like they all had a good time, which is the main point.

ZA

[stiknruda]

E L E P H A N T

ZA

I learned how to say e l e p h a n t in Ozark, Alabama at Curtis Pitts' birthday bash several years ago!

[sapperkenno]

It does sound like they all had a good time, which is the main point.

I agree... I've read my previous posts over, so I hope nobody thinks I'm having a go at Biplanes, especially Mr Pitts' finest!

I haven't flown anything like the calibre of aircraft we're talking about here, but I have a feeling, that given the chance, I'd much prefer flying a Pitts than one of those plastic wonders.

Happy Aerobat-ing!

[CRX]

Just to add my two-penneth...
I own a Nipper and for me it really is the most fun per pound I can have in the air. I charge myself £24 per hour which breaks even on AVGAS and makes a little for a fund on MOGAS. Normal 'after work' trips are around 30 mins, so for £12 I have a ball!
I operate in quiet airspace and am in the 'aeros' area in just 5 mins after take off.
There is a Nipper for sale on AFORS at the moment (most definitely not mine!) so for the financially challenged aeros fan there are options.
The aircraft is easy to live with, easy to maintain within the LAA scheme, and when coupled with a well put together engine and ignition system (1834 VW and leburg on mine) they are reliable and safe. Gone are the days of wonky mags and regular forced landings.
Roll rate not up to Pitts levels, but I dont need that. I do not intend to compete with it (yet..) but it could hold its own in beginner class competions.
Long live the Tipsy/Slingsby/Fairey Nipper.

CRX.

[Unusual Attitude]

I'll second what CRX says, done nearly 30hrs in my Nipper since June and it just gets better the more I fly it!
OK, its no Pitts but with 1000fpm climb and decent roll rate, as Paul says it gives more than enough fun for £20 an hour!

If you dont want the worry of hand swinging etc you can always go for the 'civilised' Jabiru version with an electric start and extra 20hp.....handy if your a 'big lad' like myself!