Pitts S-1 Aircraft
The Pitts S-1 is the classic single-seat aerobatic biplane — small, light and ferociously agile, the mount that dominated competition aerobatics and still delivers one of the best roll rates and aerobatic experiences for the money. Variants range from the symmetrical-wing S-1S and constant-speed S-1T to the high-performance S-1-11 ("Super Stinker"). Most are amateur-built or factory biplanes flown for sport and competition aerobatics.
11 used Pitts S-1 aircraft for sale · 1-seat · Reference price ~$55,000 ($30,000–$100,000) · updated 14 hours ago
Pitts S-1 Specifications
Model specThe Pitts S-1 is a 1-seat single engine piston with a cruise speed of 120 kt (222 km/h), a range of 273 nm (506 km), and a useful load of 400 lbs (181 kg).
Pitts S-1 for Sale
Browse all listings →Pitts S-1 asking prices range from $44,721 to $112,482, with a median of $69,500 (market reference $55,000).
Compare Pitts S-1
See how the Pitts S-1 stacks up against similar aircraft in specs, price, and operating costs.
Pitts S-1 Price & Cost
How much does a Pitts S-1 cost? Used S-1 prices: $44K – $112K, average $74K (median $69K); market reference $55K, across 7 priced of 11 active listings.
Key price factors: engine time to overhaul, year and airframe hours, avionics, damage history and logbook completeness — see the buying guide below for the full pre-purchase checklist.
Buying a Used Pitts S-1
Buying a Pitts S-1 comes down to a focused pre-purchase checklist — here is what matters most on this model:
What to check before buying
Frequently Asked Questions — Pitts S-1
Cost?
Is the S-1 a good first aerobatic aircraft?
Pitts S-1 Inventory by Country
| United Kingdom | 3 |
| Germany | 1 |
| United States | 1 |
Pitts S-1 by Price
| Under $100k | 3 |
| Under $200k | 4 |
| Under $300k | 4 |
| Under $500k | 4 |
Pitts S-1 Safety Record
Across all S-1 variants, 35 NTSB-recorded events are on file from 1982–2025. As with any aircraft, most outcomes depend on pilot training, maintenance and operating conditions rather than the airframe itself.
35
Total Events
16
Incidents
3
Serious
7
Fatal
Most Recent Events
| Date | Location | Severity | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 02, 2025 | Danbury, CT | Incident | — |
| Aug 12, 2025 | Goodyear, AZ | Fatal (1) | — |
| Feb 17, 2022 | Spring, TX | Serious | The failure of maintenance personnel to properly connect the throttle cable, which led to the pilot’s inability to contr… |
| Jul 17, 2004 | Durham, NC | Fatal (1) | The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin and subsequent in-flight collision … |
| Jan 03, 2004 | Burleson, TX | Incident | The separation of the right main gear wheel, during landing, due to the improper maintenance by unknown maintenance pers… |
NTSB records 1982–2025. Includes all Pitts S-1 variants. Events ≠ aircraft fault.