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Old 03-29-2005 | 10:24 AM
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michpittsman
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From: Muskegon, MI
Default RE: PITTS... Cermark or GP?

Hi vasek-I started out with an early Cermark Pitts, put a YS 120 on it, flew it for three seasons, then bought a GP when they came out and flew that for a season with a Moki 210 before going back to a new version Cermark ( see my RCU review) also with a YS 120. Both designs would do anything in the book, but IMHO the Cermark, designed by Dave Patrick, is a better flyer. The key to performance is wing loading; the bipes are even more sensitive to excess weight than monoplanes are, so keep 'em light and don't overpower them and either one will fly quite nicely. I couldn't help getting the impression that the GP Pitts was rushed into production before all the bugs were worked out, while the Cermark was extensively redesigned over the original after about four years. I had lots of trouble trying to three-point the GP's landings because the main gear is too short, which prevents making full-stall landings that don't bounce down the runway. The GP is a bigger, more impressive airplane, but the Cermark is very easy to take-off and land. Neither airplane exibited a tendency to snap on approach or other nasty surprizes. Mine weighed 11-1/4 and 15 lbs respectively with a little firewall reinforcement on each. I have a GMC mini-box-on-wheels van, and either airplane will go in the back fully assembled. Whether you can carry either in or out of the house like that could be another story. Jim