Carnet de Vol
Country
France
Size
2 Aircraft
Base
Jean-Baptiste Salis Airfield
Carnet de Vol is a renowned French aerobatic team known for their thrilling performances in the skies. They showcase their skills flying a classic Pitts aerobatic bi-plane along with a captivating CAP 222 prototype, mesmerizing spectators with their precision and daring manoeuvres.
The duo was established back in 2011, combining the thrilling manoeuvres of the Pitts S2B led by Bertrand Boillot, the former Solo Leader of the prestigious Patrouille de France, with the precision flying of the CAP 222 helmed by Eric Vazeille, a distinguished ex-World Aerobatic Champion excelling across all categories.
The team showcases their impressive skills not only during thrilling daytime displays but also under the captivating night sky. Their adrenaline-pumping routines include close formation aerobatics, dramatic breaks, exciting opposition passes, and mesmerizing solo aerobatics. Adding to the spectacle during their night shows is the use of white smoke and pyrotechnics, creating a truly unforgettable experience for spectators.
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Pitts S-2B
The Pitts S-2B is a two-seat version of the original single-seat Pitts special and is powered by a single 260 hp (194 kW) Lycoming AEIO-540-D4A5 engine.
The Pitts Special (company designations S-1 and S-2) is a series of light aerobatic biplanes designed by Curtis Pitts. It has accumulated many competition wins since its first flight in 1944. The Pitts biplanes dominated world aerobatic competition in the 1960s and 1970s and, even today, remain potent competition aircraft in the lower categories
Curtis Pitts began the design of a single-seat aerobatic biplane in 1943–1944. The design has been refined continuously since the prototype first flew in September 1944; however, the current Pitts S-2 still remains quite close to the original in concept and in design.
Several of the aircraft that Curtis Pitts built had a picture of a skunk on them and were called "Stinkers". After she bought it, aerobatic performer Betty Skelton called the second aircraft that Curtis built, "Little Stinker". The prototype S-2, which was the first two-seat Pitts, was "Big Stinker", the prototype Model 11 (later called S-1-11B) was "Super Stinker", and the prototype Model 12 was the "Macho Stinker".
In 1962 Curtis Pitts set up Pitts Enterprises to sell plans of the S-1C to homebuilders.
Certified versions of the Pitts are now produced by Aviat Aircraft in Afton, Wyoming. It is available as the S-1 single-seater with an up to 200 hp (150 kW) flat-4 Lycoming engine and a 17 ft 4 in (5.28 m) wingspan, or as the S-2 two-seater variant featuring a 260 hp (194 kW) flat-6 Lycoming and a 20 ft (6.1 m) wingspan. Pitts Specials have been equipped with engines of up to 450 hp (338 kW).
Plans for the single-seat Pitts S-1S are also available from Aviat Aircraft. The S-1C and derivative S-1SS plans and kits are supplied by Steen Aero Lab in Palm Bay, Florida. Many hundreds of homebuilders have successfully completed and flown the Pitts since plans became available in 1960.
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CAP 222
CAP 222 is a two-seat aerobatic sport plane conceived as a European, factory-built version of US Experimental category Akrotech Giles G-202 with JAR 23 certification.
Three G-202 kits were imported for development initially designated G222. Pending certification, CAP Aviation was marketing G-202 kits and had sold seven by mid-2001 when apparent structural failure of No. 5 (F-PQUX) on 21 July 2001 resulted in grounding order.
The first European-built CAP 222 (F-WWMY) flew on the 12th of June 1997; made its static debut at Le Bourget two days later, and performed its first public air display on 18 June. Second and third followed by January 1999.
Failure to meet JAR 23 certification criteria for wing structural strength demanded redesign which was completed in April 1999.
First production CAP 222 used for static tests; the second made the first flight on 15 May 2000 (F-WWMZ) and initial public appearance at Aerofair, North Weald, UK on 2 June 2000. To CEV for certification trials, which were completed by May 2001.
It is powered by a single 149 kW (200 hp) Textron Lycoming AEIO-360-A1E driving an MT-Propeller three-blade, variable-pitch propeller. Fuel in main 68 litres (18.0 US gallon; 15.0 Imp gallon) fuselage tank and optional 155 litres (41.0 US gallon; 34.2 Imp gallon) wing tank.
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