Mike Rutledge, a member of the National Stearman Fly-In Board of Directors, launched the event's 48th year Monday, September 2, 2019 with the daily pilot briefing.
Annual Labor Day parade Monday morning, September 2, 2019 in downtown Galesburg.
Vic Syracuse, Locust Grove, GA, marked a milestone this year by flying his newly-acquired Stearman to Galesburg for the 48th National Stearman Fly-In. He arrived Saturday, August 31, 2019.
The Jacobs R755B2M engine that powers Vic Syracuse's Stearman is an example of pristine maintenance.
The tail of Vic Syracuse's Stearman glistens in the morning sun at Galesburg Municipal airport.
Son and father, Mike and Andy Porter, East Liverpool, OH, have been "caretakers" of their Stearman aircraft for 27 years. During that time, they've meticulously documented it's history.
Two Stearmans fly over Galesburg Municipal Airport on the first day of the 48th National Stearman Fly-In - Monday, September 2, 2019.
The 48th National Stearman Fly-In will continue until Saturday, September 7, 2019 at Galesburg, IL Municipal Airport. Admission to the airport is free during the Fly-In.
A Caterpillar track type tractor simulator tests a Stearman pilot's skill at operating machinery on Tuesday, September 3, 2019.
The opportunity to climb on various Caterpillar machines is part of the lure of Peoria's Caterpillar Visitors Center.
Robert Preston of Canton, OH, is a professional pilot. He spends his leisure time giving rides in a vintage Stearman biplane.
Robert Preston gives rides in 801RB, a vintage Stearman biplane powered by a 450-horsepower Pratt & Whitney engine.
Robert Preston also owns Tillie, another "Super Stearman" which is currently undergoing some wing repairs.
The Pratt & Whitney Aircraft "Dependable Engines" logo adorns the cowl on Robert Preston's 801RB.
Sunset on the flight line finds a vintage Stearman biplane covered up for the night.
A trio of Stearmans fly in formation over Galesburg Municipal Airport.
Dr. Bruce Chen, a senior aviation medical examiner from Bolingbrook, IL, presented a seminar on "Aero Medical Issues" Wednesday morning during the 48th National Stearman Fly-In at Galesburg Municipal Airport.
Logan Fifer, center, explains the controls in a Stearman cockpit to 11th grade physics students from AlWood High School during the National Stearman Fly-In in Galesburg on Wednesday morning.
Stearman pilot Jim Fassino, Dunlap, IL, answers questions from 4th grade students at Kewanee's Central Elementary School during a flyout to Kewanee Municipal Airport Wednesday, September 4, 2019.
A student from Kewanee's Central Elementary School gets a good look at a Stearman's controls during a flyout to Kewanee Municipal Airport Wednesday, September 4, 2019.
Students in Hayley Down's 4th grade class at Central Elementary School, Kewanee, pose with Stearman pilot Jim Fassino for a class photo.
Stearman pilot John Bennett, Indianapolis, IN, served on the "faculty" for a student field trip Wednesday, September 4, 2019, to Kewanee Municipal Airport.
Pilot John Bennett gives an elementary school student a look inside a Stearman airplane's cockpit.
Stearman pilot Hans Nordsiek is proposing a 5-month-long barnstorming tour across the U.S., ending during the 50th anniversary celebration of the National Stearman Fly-In in 2021. For more details, with with him in the tent in front of the Fly-In headquarters at Galesburg Municipal Airport.
Stearman restorer Bob Swint, Geneseo, IL, discussed engine issues during a seminar Wednesday afternoon during the 48th National Stearman Fly-In at Galesburg Municipal Airport.
Warren Smith, FAA Safety Program Manager from Springfield, IL, discussed "Surviving a FAA Enforcement Investigation" on Thursday morning during the 48th National Stearman Fly-in at Galesburg Municipal Airport.
Stearman aircraft of all colors are parked at Gen-Air Park, Geneseo, IL, while pilots lunched Thursday as part of the 48th National Stearman Fly-In.
Stearman aircraft of all colors are parked at Gen-Air Park, Geneseo, IL, while pilots lunched Thursday as part of the 48th National Stearman Fly-In.
Stearman aircraft of all colors are parked at Gen-Air Park, Geneseo, IL, while pilots lunched Thursday as part of the 48th National Stearman Fly-In.
Stearman aircraft of all colors are parked at Gen-Air Park, Geneseo, IL, while pilots lunched Thursday as part of the 48th National Stearman Fly-In.
Stearman aircraft of all colors are parked at Gen-Air Park, Geneseo, IL, while pilots lunched Thursday as part of the 48th National Stearman Fly-In.
Members of Galesburg's Girl Scout Troop 5202 learned about Stearman aircraft during a visit to Galesburg Municipal Airport on Thursday afternoon, September 5, 2019.
Pilot Marie Spear, left, points out a Stearman's features to members of Girl Scout Troop 5202. Spear is from Salem WI.
Robbie Straton, Lonoke, AR, presented a seminar, "Introduction to Air-Tech Coatings," Thursday afternoon during the 48th National Stearman Fly-In at Galesburg Municipal Airport.
Auctioneer Rob Janssen, Avon, IL, holds a collectible 2004 Illinois license plate. One of many items sold Thursday night to support the National Stearman Fly-In.
Mike Rutledge, right, president of the Stearman Restorers Association, leads the organization's annual meeting Friday morning, September 6, 2019, at Galesburg Municipal Airport. At left if Brian Rosenstein, SRA Secretary.
A Stearman with "smoke on" makes it's mark in the sky near Abington, IL, on Friday afternoon.
A Stearman taxis in preparation for take off Friday afternoon from a grass strip near Abingdon, IL.
Watching airplanes and enjoying lunch was a part of the fun Friday during the 48th National Stearman Fly-In.
Stearman aircraft are parked on a farm Friday during the 48th National Stearman Fly-In.
A chef serves roast pig during a "Hawaiian Luau" Friday night in the Jet Air, Inc. hangar during the 48th National Stearman Fly-In.
Carol Cain, vice president of the National WASP WW II Museum in Sweetwater, TX, was featured speaker Friday night during the 48th National Stearman Fly-In.
This Stearman, parked Friday night on the ramp at Galesburg Municipal Airport, trained WASP to fly "the Army way" during WW II. It's owned now by Andy and Mike Porter of East Liverpool, OH.
Youngsters enjoyed a variety of activities Saturday, September 7, 2019. during the 48th National Stearman Fly-In.
Fashioning a paper rocket requires careful attention.
Fins are attached to the rocket after the nose cone.
It takes effort to load rocket fuel - compressed air - before launch.
Wow! A successful launch captures the attention of Carrie Wolford, left, who assisted with the children's events.
Lisa Woldow, a member of the National Stearman Fly-In's Board of Directors, hosted kids Saturday on a flight simulator.
Making and using a mini parachute attracts many youngsters.
The Storyteller - Hans Nordsiek of Bergeijk, The Netherlands - educates and entertains children about possibilities and airplanes. he made two presentations Saturday, September 7, 2019.
Hans Nordsiek and a young volunteer mimic what it's like to be an astronaut.
A would-be captain and Hans Nordsiek run the checklists preparing an airliner for takeoff.
Flying a vintage airplane is fun. Hans Nordsiek takes a youthful aviator through the process.
Saturday night dessert: Dusters & Sprayers Supply, Inc., Chickasha, OK, provided the finishing touch for the 48th National Stearman Fly-In's awards banquet on September 7, 2019.
