In the late 1960's, new designs emerged, aircraft specifically intended to excell at competition aerobatics. While Europe explored the possibilities of the monoplane, the United States found its first success in world competition with a biplane -- reduced to its simplest terms -- the tiny Pitts Special.

The Pitts S1-S Special

The brainchild of Curtis Pitts, the nimble S1-S, with its round airfoil, four ailerons and 180 hp, was the definitive competition aerobatic machine for a generation. Its power to weight ratio allowed the Pitts to draw long lines to define the figure and small size made minor errors hard to judge. The S1 Pitts Special achieved the apex of its fame in 1972 at Salon de Provence, France, when Charlie Hilliard used its unique characteristics to perform the "Torque Roll" (a delayed tailslide where the airplane continues to roll while falling backward) during his 4 minute freestyle and become America's first World Champion. Despite the world wide popularity of the Pitts, this was the only World Championships won in a biplane.

Pitts S1S Photo: Kevin Cunningham Sport Aerobatics

The Zlin 526

The two place Zlin 226 was replaced in World Competition in 1966 by the single seat Zlin 526. A number of variants of the 526 design were produced by the Zlin factory until it was replaced by the Zlin 50. The Zlin is remembered as the airplane used by the Czechs to introduce the Lomcovák maneuver to World Competition. In any of several variations the Lomcovák involves autorotating the airplane end over end at the apex of a climbing outside snap roll. Erwin Bläske won the World Championship in a 526 at Magdenburg Germany in 1968.

Zlin 526ASF Photo: John Blake Flight Fantastic

The Yak 50

The venerable Yak 18 was replaced in U.S.S.R aerobatic service by the Yak 50 at the 1976 World Championships at Kiev, whereupon the Yak 50 swept the competition. Designed with world competition specifically in mind, the new Yak 50 took first and second at Kiev at the hands of Victor Letsko and Igor Egorov, respectively. Six years later, U.S.S.R. Pilot Victor Smolin won the 1982 World's Championship at Spitzerberg, Austria.

Yak 50 Photo: John Blake Flight Fantastic

The CAP 20

Avions Mudry developed a pure aerobatic, single seat version of their popular two seat CAP-10 in the CAP 20, which would begin a series of French aerobatic aircraft to replace the aging Stampe. The CAP 20 was first seen in World Competition at Hullavington, England in 1970.

CAP 20 Photo: John Blake Flight Fantastic

The Acrostar

An example of the experimentation in aerobatic design in Europe, Swiss pilot Arnold Wagner's Acrostar featured flaps coupled to the elevator, a concept used in control line model airplanes to increase lift during pitching manuvers. Wagner placed 4th at Hullavington, England in 1970, the best showing ever for the Acrostar. Although only 9 machines were produced, the Acrostar is still considered one of the finest machines ever made for pure aerobatics. Eric Müller became the acknowledged master of the Acrostar, using it to develop the 'Helicopter Spin'. In 1990 the Swiss Aero Club donated the Eric Muller Trophy to the FAI.

Swiss Acrostar Photo: Alain Eroult Flight Fantastic