P is for Pitts Special
There were many philosophies when it came to aerial acrobatics. Some…like the biplane in front of him, chose the safer route. They had wider control services that reduced their stall speeds and increased their glide ratio. El Chupacabra couldn't fault the Pitts Specials for their safety margins, but he also knew they were not for him. What was the purpose of flying…of living unless there was the potential of death?
As a raining champion, El Chu was going to be flying near the end of this heat. It was far more dramatic that way because the skill range of each of the competitors meant that there was a chance that each flight could be just a little bit faster than the last. It also gave planes like his an edge because he got to see the mistakes of his competitors and formulate ways for him to overcome them. And as he watched the trio of Pitts Specials that were the biggest threat to him taking the title, the smaller plane could easily spot holes in their strategy that he could exploit.
At this level of competition, the deficiencies in the other plane's flights were tiny, but El Chu could still see ways that take a corner just a little bit tighter and places he could gain just a little more speed so that he could capture precious fractions of a second. To win, there were going to have to be places where his canopy or tires would nearly graze the inflatable pylons. One false move on such a maneuver would cause touch and possibly puncture the pylon costing him the entire competition…but that is where El Chu's dominative size came to his advantage. His stubby wings might now give him as much lift as his competitors, but it also made it easier to avoid colliding with the course's obstacles. It was an advantage that he was about to need.
"And the next plane to take to the course is one you have been waiting for. Let's give a great big welcome to the one, the only El Chupacabra!"
Taking a deep breath, he focused his eyes on the first pylons on the course and started his engine. It was time for El Chu to prove why he was a champion.
Curtis Pitts S- 1 Pitts Special: The Pitts Special is a type of light aerobatic biplane that dominated aerial acrobatics in the 1960s and 70s. Even though newer models on the market have evened the playing field a bit, Pitts Specials have the capability to take trophies in many events still when paired with the right pilots. The Pitts also holds the designation of holding more acrobatic world records than any airframe on the planet.
Because of this aircraft's role in aircraft aerobatics, they are commonly found in aerospace museums that focus on racing and general aviation. The most famous of these planes on display is the aircraft Little Stinker which can be seen at the Smithsonian. Pitts Specials can also often be seen in the wild as part of air shows and competitions.