---------------------------------------------------------- Pitts-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Sat 01/01/05: 3 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 07:55 AM - Re: S2A (N925WB1@aol.com) 2. 10:35 AM - Re: S2A (PullSomeGs@aol.com) 3. 07:45 PM - Re: S2A (N925WB1@aol.com) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 07:55:47 AM PST US From: N925WB1@aol.com Subject: Re: Pitts-List: S2A --> Pitts-List message posted by: N925WB1@aol.com Dean, I am no authority on the S2-A, but I can tell a similar story that might help you make sense of your problem. A good friend of mine had the same issue in a Steen Skybolt (which they say is just an enlarged Pitts S2). When he'd come in for a three-point landing, he could never get the wing to fully stall at touchdown unless he hit tailwheel first. ALOT tailwheel first. His Skybolt was constructed from the early set of plans, and had shorter gear legs than the subsequent plans. He also noticed that alot of people with the older 'Bolts had built the new, taller gear legs for their planes. Simply put, the taller gear legs increase the angle of attack in the three-point attitude, and allow the wing to stall at normal landing speeds. He also tried a fancy single rod-type tailwheel (I don't remember which type), but he didn't have any success with it and went back to leaf springs. I'm sure those tailwheels are great, he just didn't like it. So there you go. Longer legs equals increased angle of attack which equals a full stall three point landing. But don't take my word for it. Be sure to get answers from some real Pitts drivers before doing anything! Best of luck, -Wayne In a message dated 12/31/2004 3:55:01 PM Central Standard Time, deancourtney696@hotmail.com writes: --> Pitts-List message posted by: "Dean Courtney" Hi Phil, and all listers, My S2A is a 1979. 1000 TT & COMPLETLY stock and unmolested. I was happy to find a S2A that had not been a trainer, and had not been monkeyed with. Factory smoke & spades too. You are right S2A's are few and far between, lots of 2B's. My ship has the "short" main gear, and I have noticed a great deal of the early 2A's I looked at listed the long gear had been added, so i suppose there is a benifit to it? Prop clearance not with standing, does it make them a little more settled on the runway? Mine seems like it is not thru flying when the tail is down. I have been told that a Haig tailwheel is a great way to settle ne down, but I use grass occationally, and that little tire probally won't like it much. i have to wonder though if the improvment the Haig delivers is as much a function on the steeper deck angle it puts the plane at in 3 point attitude, or if its merely the wheel base increase? Yeah, it locks too, but i don't have a going straght problem, she just seems like shes on the ground, with the tail down, but still going too fast to be truly happy about it. Having main or tail gear that allows a deck angle that will kill the wing, before she becomes a ground machine wound seem like part of my problem. Any thoughts? Anybody? Cheers, Dean ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 10:35:36 AM PST US From: PullSomeGs@aol.com Subject: Re: Pitts-List: S2A --> Pitts-List message posted by: PullSomeGs@aol.com I have several hundred hours in the "short gear" S-2A. Just do wheel landings. Much better control throughout the landing roll and you will be surprised that you can land just as short or shorter since you can land on a given spot and get immediate braking action... With my "short gear" S-2S I have a prop clearance problem that is not a problem with the A... Skip Stewart Airshows PullSomeGs@aol.com _www.SkipStewartAirshows.com_ (http://www.skipstewartairshows.com/) 901-355-4100 ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 07:45:18 PM PST US From: N925WB1@aol.com Subject: Re: Pitts-List: S2A --> Pitts-List message posted by: N925WB1@aol.com Now that's a good answer! See, I knew a real pro would chime in and tell it like it is. Sure beats taking my advice! -Wayne N925WB1@aol.com In a message dated 1/1/2005 12:36:31 PM Central Standard Time, PullSomeGs@aol.com writes: --> Pitts-List message posted by: PullSomeGs@aol.com I have several hundred hours in the "short gear" S-2A. Just do wheel landings. Much better control throughout the landing roll and you will be surprised that you can land just as short or shorter since you can land on a given spot and get immediate braking action... With my "short gear" S-2S I have a prop clearance problem that is not a problem with the A... Skip Stewart Airshows PullSomeGs@aol.com _www.SkipStewartAirshows.com_ (http://www.skipstewartairshows.com/) 901-355-4100