Flying inverted in a Pitts S-2C or Extra 300L is not difficult, however there are several keys to learning how to fly inverted safely and with confidence. We must always remember that aerobatics can only be performed in an aerobatic aircraft in designated airspace and must always be performed with a qualified aerobatic instructor while you are first learning to avoid unnecessary risk to your aircraft, yourself and those around you both in the air and on the ground.

1. Make sure you and your aircraft are prepared to fly inverted. Secure everything in the aircraft that can get loose and might injure you or jam the aircraft controls. Cinch your seatbelt and harnesses down until you feel some pain so you will not raise up off the seat at all.
2. Raise the nose of the aircraft high enough to allow for some expected nose drop as you make your smooth transition to inverted flight using coordinated and smooth control inputs. Think of it as half of a “Slow Roll”. ie. left stick, right (top) rudder, forward stick and stop with wings level and the nose of the aircraft significantly above the horizon so that the top wing of the Pitts is laying on the horizon.
3. Relax your body to minimize the blood pressure in your head and remember that in order to steer the aircraft correctly you must move the stick in the opposite direction to the way you want to go. The aircraft still requires right rudder even when you are upside down.

Enjoy!

Making a safe takeoff in a Pitts S-2C is not difficult but it requires finesse and precise handling to be safe and in control. There are several MAJOR differences between the Pitts and nearly all other tail wheel aircraft that you must be aware of that cannot be overlooked when first learning to fly the Pitts.
1. The take off, with 2 people on board, is totally BLIND out the front. You must know what the left edge of your runway looks like, what obstacles (signs, parked aircraft etc) are located along the runway edges, how wide your runway is and what you will see at the half way mark (wind sock, etc), to ensure that you do not get too close to the edge and strike something.
2. The rudder pedals are VERY sensitive and so are the brakes. DO NOT TOUCH the BRAKES during the takeoff roll….EVER! Keep your feet at the bottom of the pedals so that no matter how hard or how much you press on the rudder pedals you cannot get brakes during the takeoff roll. Period. The danger of going off the runway, blowing one or both tires, striking the prop (a $40,000-$60,000 mistake) and flipping the aircraft on its back and destroying your biplane cannot be overstated. Use the rudder pedals gently and smoothly. I highly recommend flying the Pitts S-2C with racing shoes with very thin soles so you can feel the rudder pedals and brakes much better. I use Simpson racing low top shoes. They are comfortable and fireproof.
3. Do NOT hold the aircraft on the ground any longer than you have to. The Pitts S-2C accelerates very quickly and can get airborne in less than 5 seconds and 600 feet of ground roll at 1700 lbs at sea level on a standard temperature day. Raise the tail just high enough to improve your forward visibility, about 12-18 inches, but not so high (top wing level with the horizon) that it will not fly when its ready to. I call this attitude a tail low, positive angle of attack takeoff that will get the Pitts airborne and away from danger (the ground) as quickly as possible. The longer you stay on the ground, with your $40,000 propeller hovering inches above the pavement, is just asking for a prop strike or FOD damage from a piece of asphalt being sucked into the blades.