A local airport recently added a Chipmunk to their fleet available for dual training. I have always been interested in taking a flight since they have a reputation for being sweet handling machines. The question is whether to do a bit of light acro. I have a concern about acro in older planes based upon having previously taken training in both a T-34 and a T-6 that were later lost due to structural failure. I have searched the NTSB database and there are no structural failures but then the FAA registry only shows about 100 aircraft in the US. I have not done any addition research but wondered if there was someone knowledgeable here. The plane is with a reputable operator who (safely) operates Cubs, Super Cubs and Stearman and has done so for 20+ years at the same location.
Thanks
Mark

Fang Maroney was on his way to our air show to perform in his Super Chipmunk in 2014.
Great guy, cool airplane.. He didn’t make it here: https://www.thedailytimes.com/news/vete ... f887a.html

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.

You simply won't find a nicer handling aircraft than the Chipmunk.

As a keen student of Chipmunk history, I know of no cases of an in-flight break-up in a Chipmunk. A few have spun in, but only because the recovery technique wasn't understood.

Lovely aircraft. My friend Parke Smith owned one and let me ride with him...

“He died Sunday, June 16, 2013 at his home in Richmond. ...Parke was a graduate of St. Christopher's School and attended the University of Virginia until in 1942, when he enlisted in the Royal Air Force to join England's war effort. He was the last U.S. pilot to be accepted into the RAF via their training scheme at War Eagle Field, Los Angeles. As a flight lieutenant, he piloted Spitfires, P-51s and Hurricanes through numerous reconnaissance and combat missions over Europe and Africa. He returned home in 1946 to work in the family business...which he ran from the time of his father's death until he retired in 1985. After the war, he continued his love for flying by entertaining others as a stunt pilot [in his Chipmunk] for Barnstormers Airshows and flight competitions domestically and abroad until retiring as a pilot in his late 70s. In retirement, he wrote "A Virginian in Best Blue," a book chronicling his experiences as a pilot in the RAF....”

If that Chipmunk is under the loving care you describe, I’d get in it in a heartbeat.

I wish that was closer, I’d buy a 1 hour lesson for my son in it. He’s always had a fascination with the Chipmunk. Seems like a rare opportunity to get some stick time.

They are so beautiful on the controls.
I've been a passenger during aerobatics,
Just a lovely airplane.

My friend has a Harvard and a Chippie.
Just loves the Chippie.

Though I don't think I could remember pushing on the other rudder pedal...

When I asked him about the engine spinning the other way,
He just said he gives it what it needs.

I’m not too far from you - I would be interested in a few hours in it as well. If you don’t mind please post or pm if you end up flying in it.

The Chipmunk is at Andover-Aeroflex airport, 12N which is one of the neatest airport in NJ. A 2000 paved runway with parallel grass situated between two small lakes. https://skyvector.com/airport-images/aeroflex-andover
The operator is the Andover Flight Academy http://www.andoverflight.com/.

A neighbor here in the UK has one in his barn.
He doesn't fly it much, his hayfield runway is a bit marginal for the chipmunk. Mostly flies his kitfox.
But I hope to get a ride in the chipmunk at some point. What a beautiful machine.

Damian at Andover has an awesome flight school. I've been wanting to make it back there to take a ride in their stearman. Now I have two reasons to make the trip.

I would do gentleman aeros in it. Respect the g loading - accomplish the maneuvers on the slow end of the speed range. I think that you can do most things and keep the g between 2-21/2. Don't burry the nose and don't roll and pull at the same time. It is a very delightful airplane to fly. It will allow 3 point full stall landings without hitting the tail first.
You'll love it!

I owned one for about 4 years. It's the nicest flying airplane I've ever flown. Some folks call them the poor man's spitfire.

I was at Andover last week and saw their Chipmunk and met the owner. It looks like it's in great shape. It's very unusual to have one in the Standard category. Most, like mine, were put in the experimental exhibition category.

Here's mine while still in service in England.


And while I owned it.

Send me a PM if you like with your email and I can send you a PDF of the "Pilot's Notes".

And you should have seen it in the 70s!
I instructed at Sussex Aero 1970-71, occasionally we would have to fuel at Andover-Aeroflex. At that time most of the planes from "Those magnificent men and their flying machines" were in the hangars there. Everything about the airport was spotless, probably still is. Full machine shop to attend to the Aeroflex Hiller Raven helicopter. It's own power supply that is rumored to have powered the town of Andover during a power failure. A "tower" that staffed the unicom 24 hours a day...along with town communications, police dispatch etc.. A model airplane field. Enough heavy road equipment to build a highway... all pristine.
The antique plane collection left long ago, is anything else the same?

Side note... one of the most graceful aerobatic demonstrations I have ever seen was by (damn, his name escapes me.. from Antiquers Airdrome in FL) in a Chipmunk...