Biplanes

Biplanes are popular in all but the highest category of aerobatic compet ion. Most of the biplanes you will find at a regional contest such as the Kathy Jaffe Challenge were designed by one man, Curtis Pitts, and are generically referred to as "Pitts Specials." The wing construction uses wooden spars and ribs with steel wire reinforcements all covered with fabric. The fuselage is welded steel tubing. The fuselage from the engine to the cockpit has sheet metal covering. The remainder of the fuselage and tail has fabric covering.

Monoplanes

While the Pitts dominated aerobatics in the 1960's, world class aerobatics is now dominated by high-performance monoplanes. There are many different monoplane models. Some of their names are, Sukhoi, Yak, Zlin, Extra, Cap, Edge, and Giles. Most have a welded steel tubing fuselage. Some use fabric covering; some use sheet steel. The latest models use lightweight carbon composite material.