Jon Melby Airshows

I fly the Pitts S-1-11B highly modified bi-plane. This is a 340 HP – 6 cylinder motor, 3 blade propeller power house. With the two wings (bi-plane), it is unique – yet recognizable aircraft at airshows.

Personally, I like the bi-plane and the Black/Yellow paint scheme. It doesn’t perform quite as nicely as some of the single wing aircraft on the airshow circuit, but the appeal is how it looks when it flies. It’s unique, fast, slow, powerful, and loud.

Whenever I fly the plane to the next airshow, I usually fly over fuel stop airports and nearly everyone comes around to see what it is. There is a special relationship between a pilot and their plane. My Pitts S-1-11B and I have seen a lot of North America together. After these past few years of flying together, I know this particular aircraft better than any other I have ever flown.