Photos 2018

Monday – September 3

Mike Rutledge launched the 47th National Stearman Fly-In with the daily pilot briefing on Monday, Sept. 3. Rutledge, of West Point, NY, is a member of the Fly-In’s board of directors.
John Elliott, Arlington, VA, is a first-timer at this year’s National Stearman Fly-In at Galesburg Municipal Airport. He’s owned his plane for three years.
John Elliott’s Stearman PT-27 is one of 300 loaned by the U.S. to the Royal Canadian Air Force for pilot training in World War II. Only four or five are known to survive today.
Stenciled markings on the fuselage of a restored Stearman tell a lot about a plane’s history.
The data plate displays instructions for servicing the Stearman’s main landing gear shock absorbers.
The “Buzz Number” John Elliott’s rare Stearman PT-27 is FD993.
Andy George, right, Columbus, OH, is a first-timer at this year’s National Stearman Fly-In at Galesburg Municipal Airport. He’s accompanied by his daughter Avery.
Andy George’s Stearman PT-17 was manufactured in Wichita, KS, in 1941. It’s powered by a 225-horsepower Lycoming 680-17 radial engine.
Avery George, Columbus, OH, make a fashion statement wearing the traditional helmet and googles used by cadet aviators during World War II.
A formation of five Stearmans was among the World War II-era vintage aircraft flying above Galesburg’s Main Street as a salute to Monday’s annual Labor Day Parade.
Robert Swint, Geneseo, IL, spent nine years restoring his PT-17 Stearman, which was built in 1942. Its first test flight was in May 2018. It’s the second Stearman Swint has owned. Photo by Brian Rosenstein
Stearmans are tied down on the flight line at Galesburg Municipal Airport ahead of advancing rain on Mondah, the first day of the 47th National Stearman Fly-In. Photo by Brian Rosenstein

Tuesday – September 4

Dan and Diane Sokolowski, Clear Lake, IA, stepped up their airplane game this year with the purchase of a Stearman powered by a 450-horsepower Pratt & Whitney 985 engine.
The Sokolowskis' new Stearman sports a distinctive cream-and-orange paint scheme with scallops. The plane was built in 2002 by Pete Jones’ Air Repair Inc., Cleveland, MS. Photo by Donivan Godsil
The Sokolowski Stearman’s nose art – “Dreamsicle” – is another distinctive feature on the aircraft.
Scallops on the wings and empennage of Dan and Diane Sokolowski’s new Stearman add flair to the aircraft.
The rear cockpit of the Sokolowski airplane is, in a word, pristine.
Dan Sokolowski, with tongue planted firmly in cheek, says he opted to buy a “Super Stearman” to avoid being drummed out the club with friends who have similar planes.
Whose idea was it to buy “Dreamsicle”? Diane Sokolowski says “If you ask Dan, he will say it was mine. If you ask me, I’ll say it was his!”
Stearman pilot Jim Martin helps 17-year-old Parker Allen of Galesburg strap into the front seat of a Stearman before a flight Tuesday afternoon from Galesburg Municipal Airport during the 47th National Stearman Fly-In.
Brian Rosenstein sees a different perspective – upside down over Western Illinois – in his Stearman biplane “Sweet Caroline.” An airline pilot by profession, Rosenstein lives in Stanley, NC. Photo by Brian Rosenstein
A Western Illinois sunset as viewed from an open-cockpit Stearman biplane. Photo by Brian Rosenstein

Wednesday – September 5

Bruce Bond flew his Stearman 450 miles from Samia, Ontario, Canada, to attend the 47th National Stearman Fly-In at Galesburg Municipal Airport.
Canadian Bruce Bond is a member of Honour Flight Formation Flying Team, a group of aviators who fly their aircraft at events saluting veterans.
Bruce Bond’s Stearman trained Canadian pilots during World War II, and was given its current colors in 1979 by Air Repair Inc., Cleveland, MS.
Bruce Bond says it’s his plan to refurbish his 1941 Stearman during the coming winter months. He’s owned the plane for two years.
Logan Fifer, second from right, explains the mechanics of flight to 11th grade physics students from AlWood High School Wednesday morning at Galesburg Municipal Airport.
AlWood High School students peer into a Stearman cockpit at Galesburg Municipal Airport. Logan Fifer of DeKalb, IL, a member of the Stearman Fly-In Board of Directors, led the session.
AlWood High School physics students pose Wednesday for a “class photo” during with 47th National Stearman Fly-In
John Siebken, who’s taught physics for 12 years at AlWood High School, has been a teacher for 20 years. He’s a proponent of field trips to enhance learning.
Participants in the 47th National Stearman took a “field trip” Tuesday, Sept. 4, to visit John Deere’s Davenport Works factory. The facility manufactures motor graders and forestry equipment. Lisa Woldow photo
Stearmans line up outside John Deere’s corporate aviation facility at Quad City International Airport (KMLI), Moline, IL., on Tuesday, Sept. 4. Lisa Waldow photo

Thursday – September 6

Rowena Mason is an expert on the art of applying the fabric that forms the “skin” of Stearmans and other vintage aircraft. She demonstrated her techniques in a seminar Thursday at Galesburg Municipal Airport.
Rowena Mason, owner of Rowena’s Flying Fabric in Santa Paula, CA, fits a fabric cover on an airplane rudder during one of several seminars as part of the 47th National Stearman Fly-In.
Rowena Mason demonstrates rib stitching technique with the help of Marie Spear, right, of Salem, WI.
In addition to her fabric business, Rowena Mason is manager of the Santa Paula, CA, Airport.
Ken McCullough’s green custom Stearman was named grand champion aircraft at the National Stearman Fly-In in 1995. He recently sold the plane to Mike Rutledge, left, of West Point, NY. McCullough, of Upland, CA, presented the trophy to Rutledge Friday night during the 47th National Stearman Fly-In.
Mark Godsil stood in a chair Thursday night and explained that the Stearman community could, with $100 donations, help pay for the National Stearman Fly-In’s new folding chairs.
Donors quickly lined up to contribute to the chair fund. From left are Fly-In president Phillip Wolford, board member Jeanne Conlon, and donor David Brown, Warrenton, VA.
Hans Nordsiek was featured speaker Thursday night during the 47th National Stearman Fly-In at Galesburg Municipal Airport. His topic: “A Life in Aviation.”
Hans Nordsiek retired as a captain for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, but remains active in aviation. He flies a N2S-3 Stearman he christened “The Old Crow.”
Hans Nordsiek is also known as “The Storyteller,” combining street theater with inspirational messages. He lives in Bergeijk, The Netherlands.
It’s been a wet week for the 47th National Stearman Fly-In. But even when weather curtails flying, the World War II-era biplane trainers are still great to see. Brian Rosenstein photo

Friday – September 7

Stearman Restorers Association President Mike Rutledge conducts the group’s annual meeting Friday morning at Galesburg Municipal Airport during the 47th National Stearman Fly-In.
SRA officers re-elected Friday are, from left, Mike Rutledge, president; Dan Solokowski, vice president; Brian Aukes, treasurer; Brian Rosenstein, secretary, and Mike Porter, historian
“Eat enough bananas and you can fly a Stearman,” a visiting monkey claimed Friday night in an impromptu interview after a Fly-In dinner at Galesburg Municipal Airport.
An auction Friday night in the Jet Air, Inc. hangar at Galesburg Municipal Airport raised funds for the National Stearman Fly-In.
This child’s Stearman pedal car sold for $$1,860 during an auction Friday night to raise funds for the National Stearman Fly-In.
Sammy Mason, a rising star in aerobatics, was reared in a “Stearman family.” He discussed his past and future hopes during a presentation Friday night at Galesburg Municipal Airport
Stearman owner Mike Rutledge, who’s known Sammy Mason and his family for many years, interviewed the aerobatic pilot Friday night.
Aerobatic pilot Sammy Mason will fly a demonstration routine about 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at Galesburg Municipal Airport – weather permitting.

Saturday – September 8

The Storyteller – Hans Nordsiek, Bergeijk, The Netherlands – staged a history of flight during Saturday’s children’s activities at the 47th National Stearman Fly-In. A young friend models early aviator fashion.
Another of Hans Nordsiek’s young friends, wearing captain’s stripes, prepares to fire up a jetliner.
Moonwalking, Stearman Fly-In style, on Saturday with Hans Nordsiek, The Storyteller.
Having your face painted is fun, especially when the finished work is a bright red rocket.
Kids of all ages enjoyed building rockets – part of special children’s activities during the 47th National Stearman Fly-In at Galesburg Municipal Airport.
Will it soar? A young rocket scientist displays his handiwork before heading to the launch pad at Galesburg Municipal Airport.
Three members of the Fifer family from DeKalb, IL, prepare to launch a rocket in front of the Jet Air, Inc. hangar at Galesburg Municipal Airport.
A young pilot-in-training logs some simulator time under the supervision of Lisa Woldow, a member of the National Stearman Fly-In’s Board of Directors.
Decorating your personal button brings out the creative instinct among youngsters taking part in special activities during the 47th National Stearman Fly-In.
Her own artwork in hand, Nina Fifer, DeKalb, IL, is ready to have it turned into a button.

Awards Banquet  – Saturday Evening – September 8

Early Bird: David Brown, left, arrived Aug. 30 from Warrenton, VA, Stearman N46592. Awards chairman Mike Lowe, right.
Greatest Distance Flown: 1,717 statute miles, Edward” Ted” Miller, Santa Rosa, CA, Stearman N9923H.
Youngest pilot: Brian Vallero, right, 23 years old, Galesburg, IL, Stearman N52287. Awards chairman Mike Lowe, left.
Oldest Pilot: “Old Bob” Siegfried, 89 years old, Downers Grove, IL, Stearman 3977A. Awards chairman Mike Lowe, left.
Newest Restoration: George Madok, right, Evergreen, CO, Stearman N58219. First flight Aug. 9, 2018. Restoration by owner took 7½ years. Awards chairman Mike Lowe, left.
Hard Luck Award: Rob Tekampe, right, McHenry, IL, Stearman N1203M. Awards chairman Mike Lowe, left.
Stearman Most in Need of Restoration: Quentin Marty, right, Hightstown, NJ, Stearman N46Y. Awards chairman Mike Lowe, left.
Best PT Stearman: Bob Swint, right, Geneseo, IL, Stearman N63806. Restoration by owner took nine years. Awards chairman Mike Lowe, left.
Best N2S Stearman: Blake Anderson, right, Burnsville, MN, Stearman N266N. Awards chairman Mike Lowe, left.
Best Custom Stearman: Diane and Dan Sokolowski, Clear Lake, IA, Stearman N69249. Awards chairman Mike Lowe, left.
Best Military Custom: George Triche, right, Luling, LA, Stearman N49659. Awards chairman Mike Lowe, left.
Lloyd Stearman Award: Bob Swint, right, Geneseo, IL, Stearman N63806. Presented to a Stearman restored to replicate or preserve the historic accuracy of a civilian or military Stearman. Awards chairman Mike Lowe, left.
Bill Adams Memorial Foundation Award: Rich Vanatta, left, commander of Knox County AMVETS Post 8, presents the award to Pete Jones, right, Cleveland, MS, for his career in restoring Stearman aircraft. The late Bill Adams was an air show pilot who flew a Stearman.
Photos From 2017 - 46th Annual
Photos From 2016 - 45th Annual

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National Stearman Fly-In

 

Board of Directors
Phillip Wolford - President
Jeanne Conlon - Vice President
Jean Jacobs - Secretary
Ben McMahan - Treasurer
Thomas E. Lowe - Director
Robert F. Harrison - Director
Mike Lowe - Director
Mike Rutledge - Director
Harrel W. Timmons - Director
Logan Fifer - Director
Brian Rosenstein - Director
Lisa Woldow - Director
Brian Vallero - Director