Pitts Groundloop

Michael 182 wrote:
I was sitting on the FBO bench today when a Pitts groundlooped. The pilot is
fine - he walked away from the plane. The plane seemed to have suffered
pretty minor damage as well. About a 40 degree 12 knot crosswind - certainly
not windy conditions.
The comment by the FBO owner was "the most acrobatic maneuver in a Pitts is
landing the plane". While this may or may not be true, it is amazing how
fast the Pitts comes in over the runway - his turn from downwind to final
(there really is no base) drops 800 feet and he seems to cross the threshold
at at least 80 knots.

Another Pitts saying... "The airshow begins when the Pitts flairs to land."
Approach speed is 90 kts, sink rate without power is high. A 180 degree
constant turn approach provides visibility of the landing area until
touchdown.
Budd Davisson says most landing accidents/incidents are caused by
overcorrecting with the rudder pedals. The short coupling between the
main and tailwheel landing gear means you have to immediately correct
for any deviation from straight ahead.