The program is a lot like the X-15, but we had a minor annoyance: we had to build our own B-52. (Burt Rutan, commenting on SpaceShipOne)

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Our Aircraft:       Steen Skybolt Pitts Model 14 Pitts S1 Knight Twister     Products:       ONLINE STORE Products Home Bruntons Brace Wires      About Bruntons MT Props Hoffmann Props      Request Prop Quote Vendenyev M14 Engines Laminated Wing Spars Laminated Leading Edges Canopies Motor Mounts Wing Kits & Wing Jigs Three-Section Wings Piloti Shoes VedaloHD Sunglasses      Styles      FAA Report on Sunglasses     Builders:       Builder F.A.Q. Construction    Photos Articles Project Gallery Submit Photos Project Logs     Resources:     News Event Reports Email List Testimonials Non-US Distributors Links Scale Models Biplane Lore About This Site Website Updates About Us Contact / Visit Us         Project Log Aircraft Construction - Pitts 14 Prototype Lower Wing Basic Construction Pitts 14 Prototype Created: 12/10/2003 Updated: 04/08/2004 Link(s): N/A   Article by Mike Whaley   Completed the lower wing spars and began to assemble the lower wings. Lots of progress made, including minor rework as the assembly revealed hidden issues. Most of these issues were optimizations for ease of construction and to provide required clearances for hardware and fittings. The CAD plans have been revised as the changes were made to ensure the master plans stay current. The basic lower wing structure is substantially complete at this point. The two lower wings are assembled (sans epoxy sealer) while we look at the fit of everything. Many minor tweaks in the details were made during the initial construction.   One thing is for certain... these wings are stout! The I-Strut to wing-root span is very short.   Other entries in this series:      Construction Begins    May 2003      Fuselage Basic Structure    June 2003      Fuselage Basic Structure Completed, Engine Arrives, Steve Culp Helps Out    July 2003      Pitts Model 14 Introduced at Oshkosh    4th week of July 2003      Curtis Visits to Continue the Design, Wing Construction Begins    August 2003      Wing Construction Underway    September 2003       » Lower Wing Basic Construction    October 2003      Lower Wing Details and First Fuselage Formers    November 2003      Fuselage Formers, Skin and Wing Details    December 2003      Fuselage Side Panels and Upper Wing Construction    January 2004      Wing-Root Fairings, Fuselage Skin Panels, and Upper Wing    February 2004      Fuselage Side Panels, Wing Rigging, Engine Arrives    March 2004      Sun N 'Fun 2004    April 2004      Summer 2004 Status Update    May 2004      Aluminum Turtledeck    1st week of June 2004      Sheet Metal Work, AirVenture    4th week of June 2004      Adjustable Seats, Part 1    August 2004      Adjustable Seats, Part 2    December 2004      Wings    December 2004      Throttle Quadrant    December 2004      Spring 2005    March 2005 If you have any additions or corrections to this item, please let us know. Go to Project Log archives

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