53rd National Fly-in schedule

Click on any event to read more about it. All events held in the International Stearman Community Center at the Galesburg Municipal Airport unless otherwise noted. Accurate as of July 18, 2024.

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  • All Day
    Activities Continuing Throughout the Day
    Length: all day
    • 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.: National Stearman Fly-In Retail Store open.
    • 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Narrated tram rides along Stearman flight line for general public (weather permitting). $1 per person.
    • Stearman Rides: Experience flight in an open-cockpit biplane with Robert Preston; call (330) 328-4527 to schedule.
    • Try biplane aerobatics with David Brown: call (540) 219-3259 to schedule.
    • Walk-ups are also accepted in front of Jet Air, Inc. office, Galesburg Municipal Airport.
    • Fun flying, buddy hops, hangar flying.
    • Schedule of events subject to change.
  • 7:00a-11:00a
    Hog Capital of the World Days Fly-In Breakfast
    Length: 4 hours

    7:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.: All you can eat pancakes & sausage. Hosted bythe Kewanee Community Volunteer Fire Department. Price $ Location: Kewanee Municipal Airport (EZI), Kewanee, IL.

  • 9:00a-9:30a
    Daily Pilot Briefing
    Length: 30 minutes

    9:00 a.m.: Galesburg Labor Day Parade fly-over briefing after daily briefing. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 10:00a-10:30a
    Galesburg Labor Day Parade fly-over
    Length: 30 minutes

    10:00 a.m.

  • 11:30a-12:00p
    Seminar - Fly-In Contest Review
    Length: 30 minutes

    11:30 a.m. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

    Tye Hammerle
    Tye Hammerle
    Kenosha, WI
  • 3:00p-4:00p
    Seminar - An Introduction to Air Corps
    Length: 60 minutes

    3:00 p.m. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

    AirCorps Aviation Logo
    Air Corps Aviation
    Bemidji, MN
  • 5:30p
    Beverage Wagon Opens
    Length: 3 hours

    5:30 p.m. Location: Jet Air Hangar.

  • 6:00p-7:00p
    Welcome Picnic for Fly-In Participants
    Length: 60 minutes

    6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.: Menu:  Fried chicken, macaroni salad, coleslaw andgreen beans catered by Pizza Ranch, Galesburg IL.  Free for Stearman Fly-In participants. Sponsored by Yesteryear Aviation - Dave and Debbie Groh. Location: International Stearman Community Center

  • All Day
    Activities Continuing Throughout the Day
    Length: all day
    • 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.: National Stearman Fly-In Retail Store open.
    • 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Narrated tram rides along Stearman flight line for general public (weather permitting). $1 per person.
    • Stearman Rides: Experience flight in an open-cockpit biplane with Robert Preston; call (330) 328-4527 to schedule.
    • Try biplane aerobatics with David Brown: call (540) 219-3259 to schedule.
    • Walk-ups are also accepted in front of Jet Air, Inc. office, Galesburg Municipal Airport.
    • Fun flying, buddy hops, hangar flying.
    • Schedule of events subject to change.
  • 9:00a-9:30a
    Daily Pilot Briefing
    Length: 15 minutes

    9:00 a.m. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 10:00a-11:00a
    Seminar - Q&A with the Federal Air Surgeon
    Length: 60 minutes

    10:00 a.m.  Location: International Stearman Community Center.

    Dr Susan Northrup
    Dr. Susan Northrup
    Federal Air Surgeon of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration
  • 10:00a-5:00p
    Tri-County Airport (2C6) Open House
    Length: all day

    10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Location: Historic grass strip 19nm southeast of KGBG.Refreshments provided for Stearman participants. Elvis will be performing from Noon - 3:00 p.m. Hosted by Dave & Cathy Shipley

  • 2:00p-3:00p
    Seminar - Stearman Parts
    Length: 60 minutes

    2:00 p.m.  Location: International Stearman Community Center.

    No Image Available
    Dave Groh
    Yesteryear Aviation
  • Evening
    Dine Out in Galesburg
    Length: 2 hours

    Patton Block Grill & Brew Pub in Monmouth has reserved a section for Stearman Fly-In participants.

  • All Day
    Activities Continuing Throughout the Day
    Length: all day
    • 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.: National Stearman Fly-In Retail Store open.
    • 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Narrated tram rides along Stearman flight line for general public (weather permitting). $1 per person.
    • Stearman Rides: Experience flight in an open-cockpit biplane with Robert Preston; call (330) 328-4527 to schedule.
    • Try biplane aerobatics with David Brown: call (540) 219-3259 to schedule.
    • Walk-ups are also accepted in front of Jet Air, Inc. office, Galesburg Municipal Airport.
    • Fun flying, buddy hops, hangar flying.
    • Schedule of events subject to change.
  • 9:00a-9:30a
    Daily Pilot Briefing
    Length: 30 minutes

    9:00 a.m. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 9:30a-10:30a
    Seminar - Stearman Q&A
    Length: 60 minutes

    9:30 a.m. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

    No Image Available
    Bob Swint & John Mohr
  • 11:00a-1:00p
    Lunch-time Fly-out to Kewanee Municipal Airport (EZI)
    Length: 2 hours

    11:00 a.m. Sponsored by: Menu:To Be Determined catered by Eilers Catering.  Price $10. Sponsored by Kewanee Chamber of Commerce and Kewanee Airport Authority. Location: Kewanee, IL.

  • 4:00p-4:30p
    Pilot Briefing for Monmouth Fly-over
    Length: 30 minutes

    4:00 p.m. Pilot briefing for Monmouth Prime Beef Festival Parade fly-over. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 5:00p-5:30p
    Monmouth Prime Beef Festival Parade Fly-over
    Length: 30 minutes

    5:00 p.m.

  • 6:00p
    Beverage Wagon Opens
    Length: 3 hours

    6:00 p.m. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 6:30p-7:30p
    Pizza Party
    Length: 60 minutes

    6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.: Variety of dinner pizzas, salad bar and dessert pizzas  catered by Pizza Ranch, Galesburg. Free for Stearman Fly-In participants. Sponsored by: The Stearman Restorers Association. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 7:30p-7:45p
    Gone West
    Length: 15 minutes

    7:30 p.m. Remembering those in the Stearman community who passed during the last year. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 7:35p
    Stearman Foundation Endowment
    Length: 10 minutes

    7:35 p.m. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 7:45p-8:45p
    Program - Around the World
    Length: 60 minutes

    7:45 p.m. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

    No Image Available
    John Ockenfels and Peter Teahen
  • All Day
    Activities Continuing Throughout the Day
    Length: all day
    • 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.: National Stearman Fly-In Retail Store open.
    • 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Narrated tram rides along Stearman flight line for general public (weather permitting). $1 per person.
    • Stearman Rides: Experience flight in an open-cockpit biplane with Robert Preston; call (330) 328-4527 to schedule.
    • Try biplane aerobatics with David Brown: call (540) 219-3259 to schedule.
    • Walk-ups are also accepted in front of Jet Air, Inc. office, Galesburg Municipal Airport.
    • Fun flying, buddy hops, hangar flying.
    • Schedule of events subject to change.
  • 9:00a-9:30a
    Daily Pilot Briefing
    Length: 30 minutes

    9:00 a.m. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 10:00a-11:00a
    Seminar - Stearman Aerobatics
    Length: 60 minutes

    10:00 a.m. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

    John Mohr
    John Mohr
  • Mid-Morning
    Fly-out to Gen-Air Park for Lunch
    Length: 2 hours

    Mid-morning Fly-out to Gen-Air Park, Geneseo, IL, for lunch. Menu TBD. Location: Geneseo, IL. ($)

  • 1:30p-2:00p
    Stearman Aerobatic Contest Briefing
    Length: 30 minutes

    1:30 p.m. Conducted by Bob Swint, Geneseo, Il. Sponsored by David Brown and Stearman Biplane Rides, LLC. Location: Gen-Air Park Pilot Lounge.

  • 2:00p-2:30p
    Stearman Aerobatic Contest
    Length: 30 minutes

    2:00 p.m. Sponsored by David Brown and Stearman Biplane Rides, LLC. Location: Gen-Air Park, Geneseo, IL.

  • 3:30p-4:30p
    Seminar - Choosing the Right Covering System for Your Stearman
    Length: 60 minutes

    3:30 p.m. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

    No Image Available
    Molly Dean
    Superflite
  • Evening
    Dine out in Galesburg
    Length: 2 hours

    Evening.

  • All Day
    Activities Continuing Throughout the Day
    Length: all day
    • 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.: National Stearman Fly-In Retail Store open.
    • 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Narrated tram rides along Stearman flight line for general public (weather permitting). $1 per person.
    • Stearman Rides: Experience flight in an open-cockpit biplane with Robert Preston; call (330) 328-4527 to schedule.
    • Try biplane aerobatics with David Brown: call (540) 219-3259 to schedule.
    • Walk-ups are also accepted in front of Jet Air, Inc. office, Galesburg Municipal Airport.
    • Fun flying, buddy hops, hangar flying.
    • Schedule of events subject to change.
  • 9:00a-9:30a
    Daily Pilot Briefing
    Length: 30 minutes

    9:00 a.m. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 9:30a-10:00a
    Stearman Restorers Association Annual Meeting
    Length: 30 minutes

    9:30 a.m. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 10:00a-10:30a
    National Stearman Fly-in "Class of 2024" Group Photo
    Length: 30 minutes

    10:00 a.m. (time approximate) Location: to be determined depending on weather.

  • 10:30a-2:00p
    Picnic Fly-out to Wolford's Farm IL01
    Length: 3 1/2 hours

    10:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Lunch provided for Fly-In participants. Location: Abingdon, IL.

  • 2:30p
    Briefing for Short Field Take-off, Flour Bombing and Spot Landing Contests
    Length: 30 minutes

    Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 3:00p-3:30p
    Short Field Take-off, Flour Bombing and Spot Landing Contests
    Length: 30 minutes

    3:00 p.m. Short field take-off, flour bombing and spot landing contests. Sponsored by Robert Preston and Heritage Biplane, Ltd. Location: Galesburg Municipal Airport.

  • 6:00p
    Beverage Wagon Opens
    Length: 3 hours

    6:00 p.m. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 7:00p-8:00p
    Dinner
    Length: 60 minutes

    7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Menu: Charcuterie grazing table, lasagna (including vegetarian version) side salad, garlic bread, catered by Innkeepers Coffee & Catering, Galesburg, IL.  Tickets: $25. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 8:00p-10:00p
    Presentation - Museum of the Forgotten Warrior
    Length: 2 hours

    8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.  Location: International Stearman Community Center.

    No Image Available
    John "Skipper" Hyle
  • All Day
    Activities Continuing Throughout the Day
    Length: all day
    • 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.: National Stearman Fly-In Retail Store open.
    • 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Narrated tram rides along Stearman flight line for general public (weather permitting). $1 per person.
    • Stearman Rides: Experience flight in an open-cockpit biplane with Robert Preston; call (330) 328-4527 to schedule.
    • Try biplane aerobatics with David Brown: call (540) 219-3259 to schedule.
    • Walk-ups are also accepted in front of Jet Air, Inc. office, Galesburg Municipal Airport.
    • Fun flying, buddy hops, hangar flying.
    • Schedule of events subject to change.
  • COMMUNITY DAY
  • 6:35a
    Dawn Patrol

    6:35 a.m. Dawn Patrol launch for Galesburg Municipal Airport (KGBG), Galesburg, IL

  • 7:00a-11:00a
    Dawn Patrol Flight Breakfast at Galesburg, IL
    Length: 4 hours

    7:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Served by Galesburg Noon Lions Club.  Menu: All-you-can-eat pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, coffee, milk, orange juice.  Price:  Adults $10, children 12 and under $5.  Open to the public.

  • 10:00a-12:00p
    Children’s Activities
    Length: 2 hours

    10:00 a.m. - Noon  Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 1:30p
    Formation Flying Contest Briefing
    Length: 30 minutes

    1:30 p.m. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 2:00p
    Formation Flying Contest
    Length: 60 minutes

    2:00 p.m. Location: Galesburg Municipal Airport.

  • 6:00p
    Beverage Wagon Opens
    Length: 3 hours

    6:00 p.m. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 7:00p-8:00p
    National Stearman Fly-In Annual Banquet and Awards Presentations
    Length: 60 minutes

    7:00 p.m. Banquet served from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Dinner catered by Paton Block Grill and Brewpub, Monmouth, IL. Menu: Carved prime rib, parmesan crusted chicken, holiday potatoes, fruit salad, pasta salad, green beans, rolls and butter. Stearman cakes for dessert. $35 per person. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 7:45p
    Presentation - Tribute to Bob Harrison

    7:45 p.m.  Location: International Stearman Community Center.

    Jeanne Conlon
    Jeanne Conlon
  • 8:00p-9:00p
    Silent Auction
    Length: 60 minutes

    8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Official Stearman Fly-In Banners and memorabilia. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 10:00p
    Fly-in Officially Ends
Activities continuing throughout the day Monday-Saturday:
Fun flying, buddy hops, hangar flying, poker run
Food and Merchandise Vendors
Stearman Rides! (See below for full details)

STEARMAN BIPLANE RIDES

Try biplane aerobatics with David Brown!

This is the thrill ride for those more daring passengers who want to experience what it is like to zoom through the sky while diving and climbing, rolling and looping in the Stearman. Just like the aerial dog fights from WWI and WWII.

Reservations preferred but walk-ups also accepted in front of Jet Air, Inc. office.

call 540-219-3259 to schedule

Heritage Biplane, ltd.

Experience flight in an open cockpit biplane with Robert Preston!

Come Fly With Us, in our World War Two era, 1941 Boeing Stearman.  Treat yourself to a once in a life time opportunity, take to the air and experience the thrills of an open cockpit biplane.

Reservations preferred but walk-ups also accepted in front of Jet Air, Inc. office.

Call 330-328-4527 to schedule