Had a blast today. Still Smiling. My CFI student owns a 220 HP Stearman, beautiful restoration. This is his second stearman, he grew up in a crop dusting family, etc. etc. Since its winter time we had arranged an enclosed aircraft to do his spin endorsement. However, it got up into the high 40's today, so we changed the plan It was good fun in many ways. Student got some good practice instructing, since I didnt know anything about flying a Stearman. He did a nice job of talking me through the startup. I did a lousy takeoff but once I got the thing into the air i had no problem flying. Student talked me through a few power off and on stalls. Very nice stall characteristics. Plenty of warning and very docile as far as I could tell. Time to Spin. Student demod 1 turn to the left, power off entry. Seemed easy enough. Instructor does, Student does. So I repeat after him. What a nice spinning airplane! Of course 1 turn still keeps us in the incipient stage so the recovery is quick. I lost a little more altitude than him but my pull out was more like 2.5 gs than his 3. Next we did a power on entry and 2 turn spin to the right. Getting a bit more into the developed stage and the recovery took a bit longer. Its always fun when after applying anti-spin controls, it takes just a bit longer than you think it should. Questions race through your mind like "Am I doing this right???" and "What in the hell is going on!?!?!" A second later rotation stops and you're flying again. Next we did a power on 3 turn spin to the left. Well into the developed stage now, I remember about 3/4 to 1 turn to recover. Student has lots of spin experience in the Stearman and did a nice job teaching me. To celebrate, he talked me through a truly lousy landing (my fault not his). So spin training is complete. Like he told me, I should've been paying him instead of the other way around!!
A friend of mine owns the Stearman used in filming the JAG TV Series (Sarah in the show). I've been up with him a couple of times. Lots of fun and I agree it's a very well behaved aircraft. Joe
Awesome Tony! I've flown a Stearman but had a much more docile flight than you. Also left taking off and landing to the pro. Right now there's a Stearman restoration project on the field. I saw the plane down to the frame months ago and now it's just about done, and gorgeous. I wish it could stay based here. Pretty neat airplane.
Dear Tony, You suck! Man, there's an airplane I've always wanted to fly but never have. That sounds like a great flight.
I didnt get a chance to take any pictures, but there are a few pictures of students airplanes and some others on his website: www.halffastadventures.com
well the Pitts isnt there anymore, it went back to its home. So its just the Stearman and T6 now. but yeah...
Tony, You are right, Brian comes from a long tradition of crop dusters. His dad and two brothers all were ag guys. Several of their sons were/are ag pilots, and I know that at least one of the grandsons is ag flying. They have been around for a long time. The ones that I have met are very good people. I got to fly Brian's Stearman several years ago with his dad, Mr. Bob. Great experience. Thank for posting this.
Or, for a more accurate analogy, it's like having Hayden Panettiere (young and has all of the "gadgets") and lusting after Bea Arthur.
I love Stearmans. They have only one speed and it's 60. You do everything at 60. They are really honest airplanes. They don't tolerate lazy feet...but what self respecting taildragger would. And having said that, it's one of the few a/c in which the ASI is superfluous. The airframe talks to you.
The Stearman is a plane I did a "self checkout" in years ago. A friend had one he needed ferried from one airport to the other to do some work on so he asked if I would go get it. It had the Lycoming engine on it (300hp). I said no problem and as I was walking out the door he asked "Have you ever flown a Stearman?" and I replied "No". He thought for a minute then said "Well, be careful OK?" Off I went.
Lucky dog! I've taken one Stearman ride, but ddn't get any stick time. Pilot did a few chandelles, steep turns, and "pushovers". Flew like it was on rails, seemed quite docile and predictable, but I'm sure it keeps you alert when taking off or landing. There's one available for dual near me- pricey, but might be worth a lesson or two one of these days.
The stearmans we owned had no pitot/static system. There was an airspeed indicator mounted just to try and keep a nosy inspector happy.
