The video does not mention it, but it is worth noting that Rooster is actually LtGen Robert Schmidle, USMC (ret’d) and former Deputy Commandant for Aviation. He was the boss of all Marine Corps pilots and assets at one time. I served with Bob in 1985 as a FAC with the 1stBn/9th Marines (the Walking Dead) when he was ALO. It’s nice to see what Rooster is doing in his retirement years. Nicely done!
I have owned 2 Pitts Specials; an S2-A for about 18 years and currently have owned an S2-C (N148F) for about 25 years. In my opinion, this instructor is competent and his instruction is correct. The only thing I would add is that prior to any spin training in ANY airplane it is VERY important to do wt & balance calculations to make sure you are in the certified envelope. My S2-A, S2-C and this instructor’s S2-B are certified factory-built airplanes so spin demonstrations have been done for certification. If your weight/balance is out of the certified envelope you are now a test pilot and over the years several otherwise competent Pitts pilots have crashed/died due to being unable to recover from a spin because their airplane was not properly loaded. Bottom line…do your weight & balance calculations, give yourself plenty of altitude for mistakes and have fun!
I learned to fly at Central Jersey Regional (47N, formerly Kupper Airport) when the Nierenberg's owned the FBO and school. My last CFI there owned a Pitts S1 he kept at Solberg (N51). Prior to my going to Somerset Airport (KSMQ) for my PPL test, he asked me if I'd like to rent the school's Cessna 150 Aerobat, strap on a parachute, get under the hood and do some unusual attitude recovery for building confidence! What a terrific experience! It was a blast! I would love to take some training in an S2 someday. At 76, on a fixed income, it's probably not going to happen in this lifetime! 73 DE N2GJ ABQ NM USA
Such great memories in a Pitts S2, Taught aerobatics in one back in late 70's, I even remember having hair back then 😀 Would love to fly with the General sometime and learn from him. And thank you General for your service sir.
Great video. Interesting to note that EVERYTHING here was part of the UK PPL curriculum back in the 1970s when I did my ab initio training (except for the pupil teaching the instructor how to spin - a clever touch). And those battered flight-line Cessna 150s spun like tops! Judging by all the stall-spin GA accidents that keep happening, perhaps this training should be reinstated.
Having been trained in Canada where spin training is mandatory for a PPL, I’ve never figured out why it isn’t req’d in the U.S. given how many pilots auger it in on base to final.
The video does not mention it, but it is worth noting that Rooster is actually LtGen Robert Schmidle, USMC (ret’d) and former Deputy Commandant for Aviation. He was the boss of all Marine Corps pilots and assets at one time. I served with Bob in 1985 as a FAC with the 1stBn/9th Marines (the Walking Dead) when he was ALO. It’s nice to see what Rooster is doing in his retirement years. Nicely done!
I did my spin training at JYO with this fine gentleman when I was a CFI candidate, and it was a fantastic experience!
I have owned 2 Pitts Specials; an S2-A for about 18 years and currently have owned an S2-C (N148F) for about 25 years.
In my opinion, this instructor is competent and his instruction is correct. The only thing I would add is that prior to any spin training in ANY airplane it is VERY important to do wt & balance calculations to make sure you are in the certified envelope. My S2-A, S2-C and this instructor’s S2-B are certified factory-built airplanes so spin demonstrations have been done for certification.
If your weight/balance is out of the certified envelope you are now a test pilot and over the years several otherwise competent Pitts pilots have crashed/died due to being unable to recover from a spin because their airplane was not properly loaded.
Bottom line…do your weight & balance calculations, give yourself plenty of altitude for mistakes and have fun!
I learned to fly at Central Jersey Regional (47N, formerly Kupper Airport) when the Nierenberg's owned the FBO and school. My last CFI there owned a Pitts S1 he kept at Solberg (N51). Prior to my going to Somerset Airport (KSMQ) for my PPL test, he asked me if I'd like to rent the school's Cessna 150 Aerobat, strap on a parachute, get under the hood and do some unusual attitude recovery for building confidence! What a terrific experience! It was a blast! I would love to take some training in an S2 someday. At 76, on a fixed income, it's probably not going to happen in this lifetime! 73 DE N2GJ ABQ NM USA
Such great memories in a Pitts S2, Taught aerobatics in one back in late 70's, I even remember having hair back then 😀 Would love to fly with the General sometime and learn from him. And thank you General for your service sir.
Vital information! Thank you for doing this!
Great video. Interesting to note that EVERYTHING here was part of the UK PPL curriculum back in the 1970s when I did my ab initio training (except for the pupil teaching the instructor how to spin - a clever touch). And those battered flight-line Cessna 150s spun like tops! Judging by all the stall-spin GA accidents that keep happening, perhaps this training should be reinstated.
Having been trained in Canada where spin training is mandatory for a PPL, I’ve never figured out why it isn’t req’d in the U.S. given how many pilots auger it in on base to final.
Gotta love a Pitts.
I wanna train with this guy!!
Excellent!!!!❤
I've never spun an airplane. Ages ago, I did some spin training in a glider (a Blanik L-13) and thought they were a lot of fun.
I love spins