EAA, IAC Plan Tribute At Oshkosh

A warm tribute to the late aircraft designer Curtis Pitts is taking shape for this year's EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Fly-In.

Pitts, who passed away on June 10 at the age of 89, will be remembered with a special display featuring as many as a dozen representations of his famous designs, placed between the IAC building and AeroShell Square. There will also be a guest book where visitors can write down their special memories and recollections of Curtis that can be presented to his family.

"I'm pleased we can take this opportunity to celebrate the life of Curtis Pitts and recognize his tremendous impact on the homebuilder and aerobatic communities," said EAA President Tom Poberezny. "I appreciate the overwhelming support we've received in pulling this tribute display together at short notice, and I'm sure it will be a memorable feature of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2005."

EAA staff and IAC members have had to work quickly to arrange a suitable display of several airplanes to include in this special area.

"Just about every airplane we want to be there will be," said Kevin Kimball of Jim Kimball Enterprises, which manufactures the Pitts 12 kit. "IAC members have really come forward to take part." Writer Budd Davisson has also provided photos, written text for signs, and researched video vaults for the display. Various members of the EAA AirVenture Museum staff are also pitching in to make it happen.

EAA's replica of the first Pitts prototype, S1, and the actual S2 prototype, Big Stinker N22Q, both from the museum collection, will be parked inside a large tent that will anchor the display. Outside will be a collection of airworthy airplanes covering Pitts' major design accomplishments that were generously made available by IAC members. They will include:

• S1C Black Magic replica N8M - Ted Teach
• S1D - Mike Williams
• Prototype S1T (SN 2) - Ben Morphew
• The first certified S1S N9JT (SN1) - Jim Klick
• Samson N985JD - Jed Doggett
• Prototype Model 12 N80XP - Clint Callahan (This is the last prototype built and flown by Curtis in 1996.)
• #3 Model 11 Super Stinker N5111B - Mike Wiskus
• S2S, N947B - Dominique Youakim

The only Pitts ever to win the world aerobatics championship, Charlie Hillard's Special, is displayed in the lobby of the EAA AirVenture Museum along with the other two from the Red Devils aerobatic team that included EAA President Tom Poberezny and Gene Soucy.

FMI: www.eaa.or