Start with a factory built Pitts S2S, add stronger wings, build a larger, more powerful motor, add an oversized,
custom propeller, increase the sizes of all the control surfaces, reshape the tail, strengthen the fuselage,
and re-design the fuel and oil systems and you have what Jim calls the "Bulldog" Pitts S2S. "We took an already
excellent aircraft and changed it into something very, very special" says Jim, "I think it is the best airshow
plane in the world". Companies involved with the re-design include LyCon Aircraft Engines, Remle Aviation, and
Precision Custom Aircraft.
Here is something Jim told me:
"This is way more than the stock aircraft was built for, but with all the mods
its been holding up nicely. we will be going with even stronger wings for
2001. not because we're having problems with the current ones, because they
are in good shape, but for extra safety. this way i will have a good spare
set of wings, or we may make a new second aircraft."
Specs:
Engine: Lycoming AEIO540D4A5 that has been significantly modified by Ly-Con Aircraft
Engines to the point that the FAA required them to remove the lycoming nameplate and
replace it with a Ly-Con nameplate, so I guess it is a Ly-Con IO540 now.
HP: 400 hp
weight: 1160 lbs empty
Length: 18 ft 2 in
Height: 6 ft 5 in
wingspan: 19.5'
fuel cap: 45 gallons
max cruise speed: 1000 ft msl, 70 deg. F: 195 mph indicated
Never exceed speed: I use 245 mph
Vne: 245 mph
Vso: 60 mph
G-rate: +9/-8
Roll rate: 300 deg./sec at 220 mph
Vertical penetration: 2100 feet total altitude gain (starting from 1000 ft msl, 59 deg. at sea level, 220 mph
indicated, 6g pullup, throttle max, rpm 2850, mixture 200 deg. rich of lean peak)(went up
to 3100 msl)
Operation range: I can carry 45 gallons. range is largely dependent upon
altitude and power setting. I usually make my legs no longer than 350 miles.
this leaves me with about 1/2 hr fuel remaining.
And here's something Jim said about the weight's:
-I normally carry 12 gallons of fuel so that adds 72 lbs to empty weight of 1160 lbs.
-I land with about 3-4 gallons remaining in the aircraft.
-I start with 10 gallons of smoke oil, figure 7 lbs/gal, so that adds 70 lbs. I land with less than a gallon left.
-The engine oil weight is included in the 1160 lb empty weight.
The Performance
Considered by many as the premier solo act in the business today, Jim LeRoy has pushed aerobatic flying
to a new and unsurpassed level. With a routine full of signature maneuvers and heart stopping surprises,
Jim redefines the limits with explosive, non-stop action from start to finish. "People want to see low,
wild, and seemingly out of control, but at the same time they want discipline, precision, and complete
control" says Jim. "You've got to take all of those elements and fuse them together in just the right
way". Jim attacks the classic maneuvers with a "new age" energy, adds the state of the art gyroscopic
stuff, throws in some tricks of his own and combines it all into a mesmerizing display of aerodynamic
dynamite that will leave even the most seasoned airshow spectators shaking their heads in amazement.
Legal Stuff:
Do not make anykind of changes to the plane or the documentation without the original authors written permission and acceptance. Also do not include this package or any parts of it on any commercial add-on CD without a permission to do that. You can upload this plane on every site in the Internet as long as this file (bull_2k2.zip) is not changed and our names are mentioned there as original authors. We do not take any responsibility of any possible harm/damage caused to your computer.
Installation:
Unzip plane in to your Flight Simulator 2002 MAIN directory. Just make sure you have the "use folder names" check box checked in Winzip and all should go well...
Happy Flying!!!
Copyright 2002
Plane and panel:
Mikko Maliniemi
mmniemi@hotmail.com
This plane is done in co-operation with Jim LeRoy himself. All the info is either directly from
Jim or from his homepage at http://www.bulldogairshows.com. Jim has also done the flight testing
and according to his comments, the plane now has almost realistic flight dynamics.
Jim LeRoy
jvleroy@aol.com
Jim LeRoy's Bulldog Airshows
http://www.bulldogairshows.com
Special thanks goes to Owen Hewitt for getting me some pictures in an Airshow...
