Jet Pitts (c/n LAA 009C-15409, G-JPIT), flying display at the 44th Sanicole International Airshow, Hechtel-Eksel, September 2024.
The story of jet-powered Pitts biplane starts with Richard Goodwin, one of the best known and recognized British aerobatic pilots.
He began his aviation career as Panavia Tornado GR1 pilot with the Royal Air Force and has flown twenty-one combat missions during Operation Desert Storm with that ground strike jet aircraft. After retiring from the military, Goodwin initially became the airline pilot but soon devoted himself to what he liked the most – the aerobatics.
Goodwin´s first aerobatic aircraft was Christen Eagle biplane (more information about this type of aeroplane can be found in our article – Christen Eagle II). Then, he bought another two-wing special, Pitts S2S.
Although at the beginning of his aerobatic career, Rich Goodwin successfully competed during challenges organised by the British Aerobatic Association, he is most known from his solo performances at air shows all over the Europe. His Pitts S2S G-EWIZ, as well as history of development of that aerobatic biplane, were already featured on our pages in September of 2021 – Pitts S-2S Special.
At the end of 2010s, Rich Goodwin put in motion his new idea of adding jet engines to the Pitts biplane. It took about four years of work to build the aircraft which was based on the standard S2S fuselage and incorporated all modifications to the aeroplane already implemented with the G-EWIZ.
In addition to standard Pitts S2S propeller propulsion and Lycoming engine, the new aircraft was equipped with two ATM Lynx jet turbines, as well as new wings, especially developed for the Jet Pitts project by Saurenman Aero Works.
What made the biplane unique was its thrust to weight ratio. The Jet Pitts weights only about 703 kg (1,550 lbs), while its Lycoming engine and two jet turbines generate a total thrust of 771 kg (1,700 lbs). It means that the aircraft is not only capable of hovering, hanging off its propeller, but also ascend upward to create an incredible aerobatic stunt.
In April of 2023, the Jet Pitts was officially certified and Goodwin´s team opened the first season of jet biplane aerobatic displays.
In September of 2024, Rich Goodwin and his Jet Pitts were one of the highlights of the 44th International Sanicole Airshow, where our current Photo of the Week was taken.
