Many think that Stearman ownership is beyond their ability, both financially and in their experience but, if a Stearman is something you'd love to own and fly, do your research. Come to the fly-in, either by means of your current aircraft or vehicle, and mix and mingle with Stearman pilots and owners. You can also join the Stearman Restorers Association (stearman.net) to learn more about the aircraft and restoration. There's a wealth of knowledge available to you whether you buy a currently airworthy Stearman or you buy a project. With over 1000 airworthy examples currently flying around the world, someone, somewhere can help!

As previously mentioned, there were many GA aircraft that visited the Wolford's Farm fly-out luncheon including a beautiful example of an Ercoupe, an RV-10A, RV-8, RV-4, Cessna 170B, Cessna 185, Citabria, Decathlon, Waco UPF-7, Waco UPC-X, Maule and a Legend Cub, among others. Whether flying an older bi-plane such as a Waco or a newer Cessna or RV, all enjoyed the visit and the lunch.

One of the newest Stearman owners was Donivan Godsil, who just happened to find a Stearman earlier in 2023 that was available by chance. Donivan purchased it and, in-between his AME duties, got himself checked out in time to fly it before and during the 2023 NSFI. His US Navy 156 Stearman was a nice addition to the Stearmas at the event and he had the honour of flying his father to & from Wolford's Farm from Galesburg in the front seat of his own aircraft.

The Story Teller, Hans Nordsiek, entertained some of the visiting children, as he always does. Hans is a retired KLM pilot from the Netherlands who emigrated to the United States in 2021 but he's been entertaining children around the world for years. You won't find a happier guy anywhere and it shows in everything Hans does. If you're interested in having Hans visit your aviation event, school, library, check out his website. (hansnordsiek.com)

The mix of differently and similarly painted Stearmans is obvious when you look around. Each civilian marked Stearman was different in their paint schemes but many of the Stearmans painted in military markings looked similar with, initially, the most obvious difference often being the aircraft number.

The oldest son of John & Doris Wolford is Phillip. He is the President and a partner of Jet Air Inc and holds ATP rating with a Citation Type Rating and helicopter PPL He also flies assorted other GA & vintage aircraft. Middle son, Daniel, flies corporate jet aircraft for John Deere Global Aviation as Senior International Captain with 7 PIC type ratings. He also flies assorted GA & vintage aircraft. Youngest son, Matt, is Executive VP and a partner at Jet Air Inc. He also holds a commercial pilot license, is a flight instructor and holds both an instrument and a multi-engine rating. As with his older brothers, he also flies GA & vintage aircraft. Jet Air Inc has FBOs at Galesburg, IL, Macomb, IL, Iowa City, IA and Burlington, IA. They provide charters, training, sales, maintenance, fuel and more. (jetairinc.com)

With any group of intrepid aviators, the Wolford Family work hard within their craft and that includes volunteering with the National Stearman Fly-in, along with hundreds of others, to ensure the event is successful year in and year out. They put their heart and soul, blood, sweat and tears into making sure the fly-in goes off without a hitch, working alongside so many other absolutely fantastic volunteers. If you need help, advice or anything else during the week long event, any one of the Wolford boys, along with other volunteers, will bend over backwards to assist. They, along with everyone else involved in the fly-in, make it one of the most highly successful aviation ventures in the United States.

As Stearmans and their pilots/crews come and go throughout the day, safety is paramount and everyone works together to ensure no aircraft are damaged and nobody is injured in a mishap. Due to the Stearmans size and landing gear configuration (taildragger) along with the big radial engine slung on the nose of the aircraft, it makes taxiing the aeroplane an attention focused task to ensure the safety of anyone on the ground and other aircraft moving about the airfield. Though accidents/incidents can happen from time-to-time, they are the exception and injuries, fortunately, don't tend to happen.

Though the NSFI is an aircraft focused event, anyone is welcome to visit Galesburg during the annual fly-in. Come out and take a tractor ride through the Stearman parking area, take a flight in one of the Stearmans on hand offering paid rides, and mix and mingle with the Stearman pilots. The one thing you're pretty much guaranteed to find at the fly-in is a Stearman pilot/owner who is more than willing to talk about his/her aircraft. Yes, there are certainly women Stearman pilots and owners. So, if you think a Stearman is an aircraft you'd like to own and/or fly, this event is an ideal place to learn more about the aircraft, its flying characteristics and its history.

The 2024 National Stearman Fly-in will be held the week of September 2 - 8 at Galesburg Municipal Airport (KGBG) just outside the city of Galesburg, Illinois. There's lots of Stearman parking, lots of GA aircraft parking and lots of vehicle parking. There are food vendors so you can grab something to eat and you can go spend time browsing the NSFI Stearman Store and pick up some NSFI and/or Stearman clothing or other paraphernalia. Come and chat with pilots and volunteers to learn more about the event and the Stearman and the fly-in. (stearmanflyin.com) Whether you come for a day or you come for the week, you won't be disappointed and the Boeing Stearman will forever be remembered for its history and its sound.