Our Little Em

Em and I had a nice little run today. When we got back, Jann insisted on taking our picture. Can't imagine why..

Vist to Aviat Aircraft

I took a group of my engineering students to Aviat Aircraft, makers of the famous Pitts Special, and of the less famous, but more versatile Husky. Our guide said they finish a Husky about once every seven days. Pitts sales have really dropped off, to the point they only do a couple of them a year. A Husky with decent options (280 hp engine, Garmine GPS, German three-bladed prop, etc.) goes for about $280k.

A Husky nearing completion.

Engine mounted, but fuselage not covered. Notice the big tundra tires.

Most of the tail, except the rudder.

Nice flat-bottom airfoil.

I think they remove the foam thangs before they deliver it.

Pitts upper deck. Sitka spruce spars, mahogany and maple, and stitching.

Our guide said you can really see the flex in a Pitts wing when it's pulling Gs. If a metal wing bend that much, it would stay bent.

Even bigger tundra tires.

TIG-welded chrome/moly steel. 

Jig for joining fuselage sides.

Pitts wingtip.

Covering, riveted in place, and shrunk.

They are primed in silver, and then painted in the pattern requested by the customer. They do all their masking tape by eyeball.

Masking mess.

Kind of makes one wish..