Links
There are many great resources on the web to help you with your project. Here are some of the websites that we enjoy and think that you may find helpful as well.
If you have or know of a website that you think belongs here, please contact us so we can check it out!
Note: All Links will open in a new browser window.
| GENERAL LINKS – TRAINING |
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Training for taildraggers, aerobatics, etc. |
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Budd Davisson’s Pitts Training |
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Well-known author, and Pitts expert Budd Davisson has 30+ years of experience (obsession is more like it) with the Pitts Special, and will be happy to teach you to become proficient with the flying and ground handling of the Pitts aircraft. “If you don’t fall in love with the Pitts, we aren’t doing our job,” he says. He trains for all models of the Pitts, as well as for the Skybolt and other high-performance taildraggers. Budd provides aerobatics training as well. They even have a Bed & Breakfast to stay at while you’re there… what a deal! |
| GENERAL LINKS – RELATED AIRCRAFT & SERVICES SUPPLIERS |
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Aviat – Pitts and Husky Certified Aircraft |
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Home of the certified family of Pitts Aircraft, Aviat provides sales, parts and shop services for these aircraft, as well as for the excellent Husky utility aircraft, bushplane and floatplane. |
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Jim Kimball Enterprises |
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A world-class restoration services facility. Home of the great Pitts Model 12 biplane, and the McCollocoupe, Raptor AS, and DR-109 monoplanes. |
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| GENERAL LINKS – ORGANIZATIONS |
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Aviation-positive organizations |
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The Biplane Forum |
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This is a great biplane info forum that is “A melting pot for expert and aspiring builders alike.” |
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EAA – Experimental Aircraft Association |
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The EAA is largely responsible for the success of sport aviation and homebuilt aircraft today. They are an invaluable resource for anyone who is building an aircraft, is interested in homebuilt and experimental aircraft, or sport flying in general. There are EAA chapters in virtually every town in America (many towns have more than one) where you will find much help, advice, and friendship to help you succeed in building your dream aircraft. We highly recommend supporting EAA! |
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IAC – International Aerobatics Club Official Website |
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IAC Home – Lots of good information and resources. |
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General Aviation Serving America |
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A great website that explains in plain language why General Aviation is so critically important to our communities, our country, and our world. It also provides clear and well-supported answers to such often-asked questions as “is it safe?”… and did you know that GA provides our country as much revenue as the petroleum industry? If you are not already involved in aviation, or if you are but are frustrated by the lack of understanding from the people you meet (or are sick of all the completely incorrect, sensationalized false reporting about GA in the news media) you should definitely check out this website to help answer the questions. |
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AOPA – Aircraft Owners and Pilot’s Association |
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AOPA is the largest aviation organization in the US, and is a major force in representing general aviation at the federal, state, and local levels to protect the rights of aviators to fly freely. They also do a lot of work to make sure that aviators and ground crews have the latest information they need to operate safely, legally, and enjoy their time flying. They also provide many services to the aviation community. It’s always a good idea to check their site before you fly for the latest TFRs, NOTAMs, ADs and other issues relevant to your flight. |
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| GENERAL LINKS – FRIENDS AND GOOD FOLKS |
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Visit the sites of some of our friends |
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Budd Davisson’s Airbum.com |
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“The man, the myth, the legend” might not be too much of a stretch… our good friend Budd Davisson’s ability to communicate the experience of flight has earned renown as one of the premiere aviation authors of our time. The website of “Mr. Pitts Special” has a ton of well-written articles, pilot reports, photos, training information, and other flying stuff on all kinds of aircraft, and he even has some interesting stuff on non-aviation topics. This site is definitely worth checking out! |
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Bearhawk Aircraft – AviPro Aircraft, Ltd |
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The four-place Bearhawk by designer Bob Barrows is a study in perfect, pragmatic utility. We can’t wait to see this baby on floats. Among other things, it is an absolutely superb STOL bushplane, but don’t say that around Budd or he will sternly remind you it is an all-around UTILITY aircraft. Cessna 180’s, look out. |
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William Wynne – The Corvair Authority |
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Anything related to Corvair powered aviation and William Wynne is The Man. He also is VERY entertaining. Invite him to your EAA Chapter meeting, and a good time is guaranteed for all. (Surprisingly, no animals are injured in the performance of his presentation). |
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Liberty Aerospace |
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Liberty Aerospace is the home of the XL2, a technologically advanced 2-place airplane designed by the same team which brought us the outstanding Europa. The XL2 is nearing FAA certification, and will provide a new American-made alternative for individuals, corporations and flight schools. The cost of operation is roughly half that of a PA-28. |
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OV-10 Bronco Association and Bronco Museum |
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The OV-10 Bronco Association is a fast-growing, worldwide organization which is dedicated to preserving the rich history of not only the OV-10 Bronco airplane but also the legacy of the many folks who are in any way associated with it. The OBA has completely restored the original OV-10 engineering mockup, which lives at their ever-expanding museum facility in Ft. Worth, TX. They have a big 3-day Bronco bash every couple of years that’s a whole lot of fun too. (OK, so the Bronco isn’t a biplane, but our webmaster is also the OBA’s webmaster and a founding member and he said if we didn’t post a link to the OBA he would make this website play obnoxious music until we did). |
| GENERAL LINKS – AIRSHOW PERFORMERS |
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Folks who perform with Skybolts, Firebolts, or Pitts Specials |
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Acromach Sky Dancers |
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The Acromach Sky Dancers in Istanbul are lead by Ali Ismet Öztürk, who has accomplished many “firsts” as a pioneer of aerobatics and private aviation in Turkey. They fly several aircraft, one of which is a unique and very highly modified Pitts Special called the Purple Violet… it was built in part by our own Barrett Brummett. This aircraft has 400hp and world-class performance! |
| SKYBOLT – SKYBOLT BUILDERS |
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Links to pages about Building Skybolts |
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Homebuilt Homepage – Steen Aircraft Builders Page |
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Homebuilt.org has posted a long list of builders of our planes (Skybolts, Pitts, and Knight Twisters) with lots of contact info, engine types, percent complete, etc. A great way to connect with other builders and owners, or to let others know the status of your own project. |
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Bret’s Skybolt Project |
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Bret is building a skybolt and has photographed and documented the construction process in detail. |
