It was not until 1967 that Pitts introduced the two seat S 2A. Although similar to the S 1 in configuration and construction, the S 2A is slightly larger in overall dimensions and shares little commonality in components. In 1973, five 200 hp S 2As were supplied to a British aerobatic team sponsored by Rothmans Tobacco. Five more S 2As were later supplied to the Carling Black Label team in Toronto, Canada. And in mid 1976, the Peruvian Air Force announced an order for six S 2As, for “an unspecified training role.” The single seater’s popularity has been partially eclipsed by that of the two seat version, the S 2A, which went into production early in 1971, and of which nearly 140 have been sold by 1977.

The S 2A is slightly larger in all dimensions than the S 1; no attempt was made at commonality of structure. A tandem two holer with a 200 hp Lycoming engine and a constant speed prop, it is not a tiny airplane. Both wings use symmetrical airfoil sections, the upper considerably thicker than the lower; they are set at an incidence that compromises between the requirements of upright and inverted flight, so that the airplane feels slightly nose high in cruise but comfortably level when inverted. The cockpits are fairly roomy, but the instrument panel is inches from your face, and the optical distortions caused by the edges of the compound curved windshields add to an already (and inevitably) cluttered view. Canopy hoods of plexiglass may be fitted, at the expense of intimacy with the air. The hoods reduce the unpleasant forward pressure of the wind on the rear seat pilot. The cockpit sides are high, blocking visibility, which in the landing disappears altogether. Any object carelessly dropped finds its way into the far end of the tail cone, there to interfere with the elevator controls.

Besides its legendary ability to snap roll several times in succession with little loss of rate, the Pitts is notable for its willingness to be held in any attitude and yet to recover on command. As well as being a highly qualified aerobatic competitor, the S-2A is also ideally suited for advanced aerobatic instruction. It is a two-place aerobatic biplane that offers the student the opportunity to learn aerobatics under the supervision of an instructor.

The S-2B is a two-place 260hp aircraft. Wings and landing gear moved forward 6 in to balance the larger engine.

The S-2E price in 1982 was $50,800 as a complete kit. Units delivered to June 1982: 75.

The S-2S is identical to the S-2A except for the forward fuselage which has been shortened 14 inches to accommodate the larger 285hp Lycoming IO 540 engine, with the wings nine inches further forward and a number of other differences such as symmetrical ailerons which increase roll rate over other Pitts by 60″/sec (Up to 240″/sec). In addition, the front cockpit has been eliminated, making it a single-place plane. The S-2S’s larger size makes it ideal for air show flying as well as aerobatic competition. Its cruising speed of 175 mph combined with its fuel capacity of 35 gallons also gives it excellent cross country capability. With a 5 lb/hp and thrust/weight ratio of almost 1:1, it can, for example, do three vertical rolls in full competition, climb 300ft/min in knifedge and hover for “three or four seconds” at the end of a vertical climb. Climb rate is around 3,000ft/min and its snap roll rate is something like 480o/sec, and other party tricks include the ability to pinwheel, which is a stall turn through 540 degrees.

The first S 2S received its certification in mid 1981. The S-2S price in 1982 was $56,550 as a complete kit. Units delivered to June 1982: 10.

The S-2, S-2A, S-2B, and S-2S are certified under FAA A8SO.

The S2-S was not a Pitts product, but a single place experimental home-built.

Gallery

S-2A
First built: 1971
Engine: Lycoming AEIO-360-A1E, 200 hp
TBO: 1600 hr
Prop: Hartzell 2-blade, 76-in
Seats: 2
Length: 17.8 ft
Height: 6.4 ft
Wingspan: 20 ft
Wing area: 125 sq.ft
Maximum ramp weight: 1575 lb
Maximum takeoff weight: 1575 lb
Standard empty weight: 1000 lb
Maximum useful load: 575 lb
Maximum landing weight: 1575 lbs
Wing loading: 12.6 lbs/sq.ft
Power loading: 7.9 lbs/hp
Maximum usable fuel: 144 lb
Best rate of climb: 1900 fpm
Service ceiling: 17,000 ft
Maximum speed: 139 kt
Stalling speed: 52 kt
1.3 Vso: 71 kt
75% cruise: 121 kt
55% cruise: 113 kt
Range max fuel /75% pwr: 169nm/1.4hr
Range max fuel / 55% pwr: 209 nm/ 1.9 hr
Turbulent-air penetration speed: 134 kt
Fixed tail wheel under carriage
Min field length: 1150 ft

S-2B
Engine: Lycoming AEIO-540-D4A5, 260-hp
MAUW: 1700 lb
Empty Wt. 1175 lb
Pwr loading: 6.54 lb/hp
Wing loading: 13 lb/sq.ft
Length: 18 ft 9 in
Wing span: 20 ft
Height: 6 ft 7.5 in
Wing area: 125 sq.ft
Stall: 53 kt
Vne: 184 kt
Cruise 65%: 140 kt
Max X-wind: 17 kt
Range (wth res): 300sm
ROC: 2700 fpm

S-2C Pitts Special
Base Price 2009: $165,500
Engine: Lycoming AEIO-540, 260 Hp
TBO: 1200 hr
Fuel type: 100LL
Propeller: Hartzell, constant speed, composite three-blade
Landing gear: Fixed/Conv.
Max ramp weight: 1700 lb
Gross weight: 1700 lb
Max landing weight: 1700 lb
Empty weight: 1155 lb
Useful load: Normal 545 lb (aerobatic 470 lb)
Payload, full fuel: 371lb
Usable fuel: 28 USgal (23 USgal aerobatic)
Oil capacity: 12 qt
Wingspan: 20 ft
Overall length: 17 ft. 9 in
Height: 6 ft. 5 in
Wing area: 127.5 sq. ft
Wing loading: 13.3 lbs./sq. ft (12.7 lbs./sq. ft aerobatic)
Power loading: 6.59 lbs./hp (6.25 lbs./hp aerobatic)
Wheel base: 163 in.
Wheel track: 60.75 in.
Wheel size: 5.00 x 5
Cabin width: 2 ft. 4 in
Cabin height: 6 ft. 11 in
Baggage capacity: 20 lb
Stall: 56 kt
Max cruise: 169 kt
Cruise speed 75% power: 157 kt
Cruise speed 65% power: 150 kt
Cruise speed 55% power: 147 kt
Max range (w/ res) 75% power: 246 nm
Max range (w/ res) 65% power: 274 nm
Max range (w/ res) 55% power: 300 nm
Fuel consumption 75% power: 13.5 USgph
Fuel consumption 65% power: 12 USgph
Fuel consumption 55% power: 11 USgph
Estimated endurance (65% power w/1 hr reserve): 5.6 hr
Best rate of climb (SL): 2900 fpm
Takeoff ground roll: 554 ft
Takeoff over 50-ft. obstacle: 860 ft
Landing ground roll: 750 ft
Landing over 50-ft. obstacle: 1200 ft

Pitts S-2C
Engine: Lycoming AEIO-540, 260 HP
Propeller: The Claw by Hartzell 76: Composite Constant Speed
Length: 17 feet 9 inches
Height: 6 feet 5 inches
Wing Span : 20 feet
Wing Area : 127.5 square feet
Wing Loading : 13.3 lb/sqft (normal)/12.7 lb/sqft (aerobatic)
Power Loading : 6.59 lb/hp (normal)/6.25 lb/hp (aerobatic)
Seats : 2 tandem
Cabin Length : 6 feet 11 inches
Cabin Width : 28 inches
Cabin Height : 47 inches
Empty Weight : 1,155 pounds
Maximum Gross Weight : 1700 pounds
Useful Load : 545 lb (normal)/470 lb (aerobatic)
Payload w/Full Fuel : 371 pounds
Fuel Capacity w/5 Gallon Wing Tank: 29 U.S. gallons (28 gallons usable)
Aerobatic Flight Load Limits: +6 G/-5 G
Takeoff Distance Ground Roll: 554 feet
Takeoff Distance Over 50 ft Obstacle: 860 feet
Max Demonstrated Crosswind Component: 17 kt
Rate of Climb, Sea Level, Minimum Weight: 2,900 fpm
Maximum Level Speed, Sea Level: 169 kt
Cruise Speed w/30 min rsv. at 75% Power: 150 KTAS/1.6 hours
Range w/30 min rsv. at 75% Power: 284 st. miles
Fuel Consumption at 75% Power: 84 pph/14 gph
Best Economy: 6,000 feet
Landing Distance over 50 ft Obstacle: 1,200 feet
Landing Distance, Ground Roll: 750 Feet
VY (Best Rate of Climb): KIAS 82
VA (Design Maneuvering): KIAS 134
VNO (Max Structural Cruising): KIAS 134
VNE (Never Exceed): KIAS 185
VSI (Stall, Clean): 56 KIAS

Aviat Pitts S2C
Engine: Lycoming AEIO-540-D4A, 260 hp
TBO: 1200 hr
Fuel type: 100LL
Propeller: Hartzell Constant Speed
Landing gear: Fixed Bungee
Max ramp weight: 1700 lb
Gross weight: 1700 lb
Landing weight: 1700 lb
Empty weight, std: 1155 lb
Useful load, std: 545 lb
Payload, full std. fuel: 377 lb
Useful fuel, std: 28 USG
Oil capacity: 12 qt
Wingspan: 20 ft
Overall length: 17 ft. 5 in
Height: 6 ft. 5 in
Wing area: 127.5 sq. ft
Wing loading: 13.3 lbs./sq. ft
Power loading: 6.25 lbs./hp
Wheel size: 5.00 x 6
Seating capacity: 2
Cabin width: 24 in
Cabin height: 41 in
Baggage capacity: 20 lb
Cruise speed 75% power: 160 kt
Cruise speed 65% power: 156 kt
Cruise speed 55% power: 152 kt
Max range (w/ reserve) 75% power: 270 nm
Max range (w/ reserve) 65% power: 290 nm
Max range (w/ reserve) 55% power: 310 nm
Fuel consumption 75% power: 14.0 USgph
Fuel consumption 65% power: 12.9 USgph
Fuel consumption 55% power: 11.5 USgph
Vso: 56 kt
Best rate of climb (SL): 2900 fpm
Service ceiling: 29,500 ft
Takeoff ground roll: 554 ft
Takeoff over 50-ft. obstacle: 860 ft
Landing ground roll: 750 ft
Landing over 50-ft. obstacle: 1200 ft

S-2E
Designed in 1966
Gross weight: 1,500 lb
Empty weight: 980 lb
Useful load: 520 lb

S-2S
First built: 1977
Engine: Lycoming AEIO-540-D4A5, 260 hp
TBO: 1600 hr
Prop: Hartzell 2-blade
Seats: 1
Length: 17.4 ft
Height: 6.4 ft
Wingspan: 20 ft
Wing area: 125 sq.ft
Maximum ramp weight: 1575 lb
Maximum takeoff weight: 1575 lb
Standard empty weight: 1100 lb
Maximum useful load: 475 lb
Maximum landing weight: 1575 lb
Wing loading: 12.6 lbs/sq.ft
Power loading: 5.7 lbs/hp
Maximum usable fuel: 210 lb
Service ceiling: 20,000 ft
Maximum speed: 185 kt
Stalling speed: 58 kt
Turbulent-air penetration speed: 134 kt
Fixed tail wheel under carriage