Vancil Spitz S1 Explained

The Vancil Spitz S1 is an American homebuilt aircraft that was designed and produced by A. Vancil of Belton, South Carolina, introduced in the late 1990s. When it was available the aircraft was supplied as a kit and also in the form of plans for amateur construction.[1]

Design and development

The Spitz S1 is an ultralight replica of the Pitts S-1 aerobatic biplane. It features a biplane layout, a single-seat open cockpit, fixed conventional landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.[1]

The aircraft was designed to comply with the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules, including the category's maximum empty weight of 2540NaN0. The aircraft has a standard empty weight of 2540NaN0. It can also be placed in the Experimental - Amateur-built category.[1]

The Spitz S1 is made from metal tubing and wood, with its flying surfaces and tail covered in doped aircraft fabric and the fuselage covered in sheet aluminium. Its 18.271NaN1 span wing has a wing area of 116square feet. The standard engine used is the 480NaN0 Christine Aero powerplant.[1]

The aircraft has a typical empty weight of 254lb and a gross weight of 475lb, giving a useful load of 221lb. With full fuel of the payload for the pilot and baggage is 191lb.[1]

Variants

S1 ultralight version
  • With a maximum speed of 90mph.[1]
    S1 homebuilt version
  • With a maximum speed of 120mph.[1]

    Notes and References

    1. Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 361. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998.