Chuck's Pitts is on the Trailer
Heading for the Airport.

Ray had taught me rolls, loops, hammerheads, spins, etc. I felt somewhat comfortable doing these maneuvers with Ray in the back seat. But the first time I tried a roll on my own was terrifying. I had approximately 15 hours by now and felt somewhat comfortable with take-offs and landings (Well as good as you can in a Pitts). I started my first roll at approximately 6,000 AGL. I was ready, airspeed 140 mph, a quick look for traffic, ready, ready, ready, wait – maybe I should go up a little higher. I climbed to 9,500 AGL, OK this looks better. Airspeed 140 mph, a quick look for traffic, ready, ready, ready, wait – it’s getting too late in the day, the wind is starting to blow, look there is a cloud over there. I’m going to wait for a better day. I landed, wiped the bugs off the plane and put it away.

Then I spent the rest of the afternoon (it was only 2:00) and that night disgusted with myself. The very next day, no wind, clear blue skies, no clouds – I had to try a roll, I climbed up to 8,000 AGL. I was ready, airspeed 140 mph, a quick look for traffic, ready, ready, ROLL – it worked perfect. My little plane did it!! Curtis Pitts you are a genius – Thank you Ray Williams – What have I gotten myself into – I love this!

I now have 275 hours on it and love it. I have had ZERO problems with it. I have only had one scare (My own fault). My first unintentional spin was at 9,000 AGL, I had just done an Immelman and at the top I was too slow and went into a spin. Now I have done a couple intentional spins and had no problems recovering, but this was my first unintentional spin. I followed the same spin recovery procedure (So I thought) Turn loose of the stick, opposite rudder, correct, correct. It did not, lets try this again. Turn loose of the stick, opposite rudder (Maybe I didn’t hold the rudder in long enough) hold the rudder in longer. What should I do, What should I do – Talk it through – Power off – Turn loose of the stick – Opposite rudder – perfect – it recovered, what did I do wrong before? I forgot to remove the power. I knew I had to do this again to make sure it was not just pure luck on the recovering. I went back up and made sure I was slow at the top of the Immelman – here we go – it’s spinning - Power off – Turn loose of the stick – Opposite rudder – perfect! Oh Lord what have I gotten my self into – I love this!!