.....and just wait until you move on from a Pitts to a monoplane.

Well said David. I always knew the Super Decathlon was an outstanding aeroplane.;)

I enjoy flying the Super Decathlon.

And just wait until you try a Cap10c :O
Much nicer than a Super Decathlon and much more enjoyable than a Pitts (although admittedly not quite as capable).

IMHO, for training it's hard to beat a Bulldog for recreational aeros and a Cap10c for something a little more capable - and I think I would feel the same if I didn't have a slight vested interest.

HFD

In much the same way that an MX5 is more enjoyable than a Caterham Seven - i.e. only of you're a hair-dresser.

I did think that technically the bulldog is a monoplane.. so is the much derrided alpha-robin. :E (backpacker along shortly?)

Either way, we're all having more fun than those fuddy duddy types who think the world ends at 45degrees of bank :ok:

I'm strictly recreational; of everything I've flown pitts puts more of a smile on my face even if I'm only in the circuit, somehow it's always an event, if only because you know at some point you have to land the thing! But they all make me smile..

The scariest bit of the flight....dancing shoes at the ready.
(And I'm just the passenger).

I am now flying the Super Decathlon at Phoenix flying (G-IZZZ) really enjoy flying it, supprised me alot, much more capable that I first thaught and flys inverted really really well :)

Hmmm. Must've missed this one...:ok:

Anyway, I was reading Brian Lecombers article in the latest Flyer, and what surprised me was that he considers both the C152 Aerobat and the Robin/Alpha R2160 "standard" level while the Super Decathlon can be used up to "intermediate".

I always thought that the C152 was barely capable of LAROSA (Loops and Rolls on Sunday Afternoon) aerobatics, and the R2160 and Decathlon were about an even match at Standard level.

Can you really fly a "Standard" sequence in a C152, in the 2000' box height you have to spare with no breaks, and can you really fly an "Intermediate" sequence in a Decathlon within the box height (2300' I think) without any breaks?

In that case, I might have to set my sights on the Decathlon instead of the Cap-10 as my next step. I'm getting pretty close to outgrowing the R2160.

BP. The Super D with the CS prop is definitely a significant step up from the R2160. It's similar in roll rate, nice inverted, and gets a lot more penetration due to the engine keeping going all the time. No idea how it compares to the Cap10, and I don't have any numbers comparison to the 2160, just a subjective feeling it's a good bit more capable.

Ah, well, inverted flight capability would make a lot of difference, yes. I guess it would transform the R2160 from a Standard machine to an Intermediate machine too.

(Currently trying to get the finesse back to do an Immelman in the R2160 while keeping the engine running, and not dropping like a stone afterwards...:ugh:)

Legend that he is, BL hasn't been seen on the competition circuit for a long, long time. I'd take an unhealthy dose of salt with any assertion he makes about what is competitive at what level.

Hi guys,

I realise this is an old thread, but I wondered if anyone knew what happened to Phoenix Flying at Shoreham? I was interested in doing some aeros in the Bulldog or Super Decathlon and maybe doing the full AOPA course there a while back, but it seems they may have shut up shop since I last did my research? I hope not as the place looked great and certainly sounded great from all the positive reviews above and not too far away either. Failing that, does anyone have anywhere else they could recommend instead? The Real Flying Co. looks a good alternative, but as an ex-Air Cadet I was dreaming about flying the Bulldog again!

Any advice/ideas most appreciated!

It's not too far, but have you considered Aces High at Goodwood? They have a variety of a/c unto an Extra 300.

stuart mckinnon used to run phoenix, but he must have changed his number, i believe he spends more of his time at BA these days, the real flying co. have some great guys, mathew hill for one.

I think you mean Ultimate High! Excellent mainly ex service instructors and the Extra is something WAY more than a Pitts!:ok:

I had a pretty negative experience with Phoenix flying a couple of years ago.
I was wanting to fly reasonably frequently when I was visiting the area and after a good chat had a great few days flying aeros.

However the next few times, despite giving lots of notice of coming and being told someone was about. There would never be anyone available. In the end I just gave up with them.

Also a couple of years ago I had a very good experience with Phoenix Flying/Pooley's. I flew with an absolute ace pilot in the Super Decathlon, Bulldog, RV4, and Extra300. Immensely instructive and higly enjoyable. I had to wait a few days for one of the aeroplanes before it came out of maintenance, but flew on the others meanwhile. Really couldn't complain. This was summer 2011.
jr

if you want the best and you want shoreham, you want justyn gorman. check out his videos on youtube.
Justyn Gorman Aerobatics

Fully agree
jr