Last week we visited the National Stearman Fly-in at Galesburg, Illinois. This annual event has been a very popular event with Stearman owners and pilots since it was first started in 1972. From those early days, the event has grown to be the largest Stearman focused event in the country, if not the world.

Though the fly-in is Stearman focused there are often other pilots and their aircraft who come in for a visit, sometimes for an hour, sometimes for a day or longer. This year, a rare visitor was a stunning example of the Grumman Goose. The aircraft owner, Brian Aukes, and his wife flew in for a couple of hours and saw a large gathering of folks come to have a look at this gorgeous vintage aircraft. Beautifully restored, inside and out, the Goose turned a lot of heads on the airfield including many Stearman owners/pilots. Aukes returned later in the week in his Stearman.

Another unique visiting aircraft was the Pilatus P-3, as we saw in part I of the article. This Pilatus P-3 was acquired from the Swiss Air Force where it was used as a primary trainer. This example was brought to the US fairly recently and is privately owned. It certainly isn't a common aircraft in the US and turned a few heads during its short visit to Galesburg. It has a cruise 136 knots, a landing speed of about 65 knots and a maximum VNe of 270 knots (in a dive). At 60% power it has a range of about 3 hours with a surface ceiling of 18,000 feet and has tandem seating set up for front seat pilot and rear seat crew/passenger.

There were in excess of 10,000 Stearmans built by Stearman Aircraft and Boeing, who 'swallowed up' Stearman in the 1930s. Though many currently flying Stearmans have been restored to represent Army or Naval Stearman aircraft from World War II, there are many who have decided to restore their aircraft to their own unique civilian liveries and many are stunning in their designs and colours. Regardless of how a Stearman is restored they are all beautifully done and loved by their pilots/owners and it shows. Some Stearmans are in need of a partial or full restoration but it's not a cheap venture and, depending on whether you do the restoration yourself, maybe with some help from your spouse or your buddies, or you have the restoration done "professionally," chances are it will be at least a year long process. Obviously, doing the restoration yourself is likely to be a longer process, taking years to complete, but regardless of who does the work, you know it will be lovingly restored to an immaculate standard.

If you're wondering how much a Stearman would cost to purchase the answer isn't necessarily an easy one to answer because it all depends on the engine, the condition, avionics and even pedigree. In recent years a Stearman with a 220hp engine and in need of restoration but currently airworthy has been listed and sold for around $75,000 USD. A fully restored Stearman, stock engine and avionics, maybe with some interesting pedigree can fetch upwards of $175,000 USD. Getting into a more powerful 450hp Stearman will see you spending upwards of $200,000 USD and more. So, if you have slightly deep pockets and maybe you're willing to drive a 20 year old car, you can own a Stearman and turn heads wherever you go. People love biplanes and one with a loud, smokey radial engine that's large, whether wearing wartime paint or a colourful civie paint scheme, it will certainly garner lots of attention everywhere it goes. (stearman.net)

The National Stearman Fly-in is open for anyone to visit, whether by aeroplane or vehicle. During the latter part of the week long event there are food vendors on hand and the city of Galesburg is just minutes away. Galesburg and surrounding area are great supporters of the fly-in. From vehicles used to transport pilots and crews to and from hotels to catering for meals at the NSFI hangar, including a fabulous pizza night and a beer truck, donated for use from a local beer supplier. The support given to the fly-in is absolutely topnotch. When you include all the volunteers (around 200), many of whom have volunteered at the event for years, all have made the fly-in a highly successful event.

Funds for the event are raised throughout the year but, during the event, two methods of raising funds are the Stearman Store where you can buy anything Stearman from hats, t-shirts, hoodies and sweatshirts to Stearman ornaments, models, pins, badges and more. You can also find some fantastic high quality metal US made aviation signs. The 2023 store sales netted the fly-in about $1400. Another fund raiser is the auction which is held the last night of the event, after dinner. Items are donated for the auction and can include anything from model aircraft to the yearly banners that hang from the hangar rafters, aviation prints and metal signs. The auction is always a very successful part of the fly-in with the 2023 auction raising close to $4000. The annual cost to hold the fly-in runs about $40,000/year so fund raising and local support is extremely important.

If you own a Stearman you really have to make plans to fly to Galesburg with your Stearman. Every year there are a few "new to the event" Stearmans and pilots but they are welcomed with open arms. Whether you're a Stearman owner/pilot who's been to 10, 20 or 40+ NSFIs or you're brand new to the event, you won't be disappointed. It is an absolutely fantastic week with lots of flying, lots to do, lots to see and lots of Stearmans with a host of fabulous, friendly and helpful people from pilots, to crews, to every single volunteer, top to bottom. Come and be one of "....those magnificent men in their flying machines...." and show off you're beautiful Boeing Stearman! (stearmanflyin.com)