Over 10+ Pitts S-1 for Sale – Used Planes

PlaneFox tracks 12 Pitts S-1 aircraft for sale and re-reads every one of them from the broker and dealer sites it watches, so the figures below move when the market moves. Every number on this page is measured from those live listings, not taken from a published price guide.

How much does a Pitts S-1 cost?

There are 12 Pitts S-1 listings on PlaneFox right now, 9 of them priced. They ask between EUR 6,000 and EUR 66,000, with a median of EUR 47,000.

How far can a Pitts S-1 fly?

A Pitts S-1 flies about 275 nm, roughly 509 km, which is about 1 h 49 min in still air at typical cruise.

What does a Pitts S-1 cost to own?

A Pitts S-1 costs about EUR 2,365 a month to own and fly: EUR 2,019 to run it, plus EUR 345 for a loan over 15 years on the median asking price here, EUR 46,653. Flown 150 hours a year, that is about EUR 222 for every flight hour.

More questions about the Pitts S-1

How much does a Pitts S-1 cost?

The median asking price for a Pitts S-1 on PlaneFox is EUR 47,000, measured across the Pitts S-1 listings on the site today. Prices run from EUR 6,000 for older, higher-time airframes up to EUR 66,000 for newer, low-time aircraft. Year of manufacture, airframe hours, avionics and condition account for most of that spread.

What is the price range for a used Pitts S-1?

Pitts S-1 aircraft listed on PlaneFox range from EUR 6,000 to EUR 66,000, with a median asking price of EUR 47,000. Late model years with low airframe hours and a modern glass panel sit at the top of that range; early airframes with high hours and analogue instruments sit at the bottom.

How many Pitts S-1 aircraft are for sale right now?

PlaneFox lists 12 Pitts S-1 aircraft for sale right now, gathered from the broker and dealer sites it watches. The count moves through the week as those sources are re-read. Because PlaneFox reads the same listings repeatedly over time, it also shows which have cut their asking price and which have sold.

Where can I find a Pitts S-1 for sale?

Every Pitts S-1 PlaneFox can see is on this page — 12 of them, gathered from the broker and dealer sites it re-reads continuously. Most are listed in United Kingdom (3), followed by Germany (2), United States (1), Switzerland (1) and Hungary (1). Each listing links straight through to the seller, so a Pitts S-1 in another country is worth considering rather than filtering out.

What should I check when buying a used Pitts S-1?

On a used Pitts S-1, check airframe hours, engine time since overhaul, avionics generation and damage history before anything else. PlaneFox recommends a pre-purchase inspection by an EASA Part-145 shop that knows the type, which typically costs EUR 1,500 to EUR 3,500. Under 1,500 airframe hours is low-time and above 3,500 means budgeting for higher maintenance; most piston engines run a 2,000-hour TBO, so past 1,500 to 1,700 hours since overhaul expect the overhaul within one to three years at EUR 25,000 to EUR 45,000. Read the full logbook history for prop strikes, gear-up landings and structural repair, and confirm ADs and SBs are complied with.

How do Pitts S-1 prices change with year of manufacture?

The price chart on this page shows the average asking price of a Pitts S-1 by year of manufacture, drawn from the Pitts S-1 listings PlaneFox holds today. It shows how the Pitts S-1 holds its value over time and which model years offer the best price for the condition.

About the Pitts S-1

Aircraft overview

The Pitts S-1 is a single-seat aerobatic biplane designed by Curtis Pitts in the United States, with the original S-1 Special first flown in 1944. It became one of the defining competition aerobatic aircraft of the postwar era, especially through plans-built examples and later factory-built derivatives. The type is a compact, short-coupled, high-rate aerobatic aircraft intended for sport and competition flying rather than cross-country travel. Its importance comes from its influence on modern aerobatic design, its long service life in club and private ownership, and the large number of aircraft built from plans or kits.

Performance & specifications

Specifications vary significantly by variant, engine, propeller and individual build standard. A typical Pitts S-1S uses a Lycoming AEIO-360 series engine of about 180 hp, while earlier S-1C aircraft may use lower-powered Lycoming or Continental engines and the S-1T commonly uses a 200 hp Lycoming AEIO-360. Typical cruise speeds are in the region of 120 to 130 knots, with range often around 200 nautical miles depending on fuel capacity and power setting. Useful load is modest, commonly suited to one pilot, fuel and limited baggage only. Service ceiling figures vary by configuration, but the aircraft is primarily valued for climb, roll response and aerobatic strength rather than altitude performance.

Cabin & avionics

The Pitts S-1 has one seat in a very compact cockpit, usually under an open cockpit arrangement or a small canopy depending on the aircraft. Visibility, cockpit access and comfort are secondary to aerobatic handling and low drag. Baggage space is minimal. Avionics are normally simple VFR installations rather than integrated glass cockpits such as Garmin G1000 or Garmin Perspective. Common equipment may include a VHF comm radio, transponder with ADS-B where required, basic flight instruments, engine gauges, a stopwatch or aerobatic sighting reference, and sometimes a handheld or panel-mounted GPS.

Buying & value

Prospective buyers should identify the exact variant, builder, airframe history and aerobatic usage, since Pitts S-1 aircraft range from amateur-built examples to professionally constructed or factory-associated models. Review wing construction, fabric condition, landing gear attachments, engine mount, control rigging, logbook continuity and compliance with any applicable operating limitations. Common distinctions include S-1C, S-1S and S-1T configurations, plus upgrades such as inverted fuel and oil systems, constant-speed propellers, canopy installations, modern radios and ADS-B. On PlaneFox, current used-market asking prices average about EUR 54,000, with listings ranging from approximately EUR 39,000 to EUR 76,000, placing the Pitts S-1 as a specialized single-seat aerobatic purchase rather than a general touring aircraft.

12 Pitts S-1 aircraft are for sale on PlaneFox today.

See all 12 listings