I've got to fly a few Stearmans. Obviously, they are not about performance, just an era from the past. Kinda like an old car, not a hotrod, just a classic car. I have a lot of fun in them. The open cockpit, radial engine is a blast. They are a lumbering plane and don't do anything fast, but they are a hoot.

Got to fly one up in Washington last summer. Nice camp spot at the Cawley Ranch in Buckley, WA. My wife is in the Stearman with Jim Cawley flying, great time.

Those that have flown both Stearmans and Wacos - can you give some more details on them, like compare and contrast?

I have not flown a Waco. I think it depends on whether you mean an old one or one of the new ones. The Stearman is very docile in flight and the airframe is very strong.
I've done loops, rolls, spins, and hammerheads (with a aerobatics instructor) in my plane and it is a lot of fun.
But it does need to be warm to go up. If it isn't 70 degrees or so it will be cold above with the wind. I'm in PA so we have a short season.

Landing on grass is pretty easy once you get the hang of the tailwheel. Landing on pavement takes some practice, mainly you have to stay on the rudders until the plane is stopped. I only did one ground loop last year, but the wing didn't touch the ground so no damage.

I love the simplicity of the plane. I am usually just looking at airspeed and rpm.

Scott

No.

Not because I don't like biplanes, or old airplanes, or open cockpit airplanes, or conventional gear airplanes.

I just have no connection to, nor passion for, the Stearman.

I have a Cub, and it satisfies all my needs to clatter along low and slow with the wind in my face.

Stone simple maintenance, and 4gph.

Annuals cost $250, and insurance is $500 (I have lots of tail wheel time).

My "bucket list" airplane is the Globe Swift.

I didn't even know that was a question! But since you asked...HELL YES I would buy one.

There are a few down here in Australia but not like you have in the States. You could reverse the situation and see if you can get hold of a Tiger Moth. But do be careful old boy, you may develop a Pommy accent and a stiff upper lip and all that.


Here is a popular Stearman around my area. Can't really miss it!
http://www.myaviation.net/search/photo_ ... size=large

Done two BFRs in a Stearman. The last was on a 47F day. The owner/CFI arrived in a snowmobile suit w/electric heaters. Me? Just a jacket w/mittens. Froze my weenus ...

You can rent one here in Dayton! I haven't done it yet but it will happen soon!

Really? Where? Would love to do that - and my bride has a longstanding love affair with them. She's due a ride.

Really? Where? Would love to do that - and my bride has a longstanding love affair with them. She's due a ride.

This one is parked in the hangar next to mine. The man who bought it is learning how to fly it from the retired ag pilot who owns the hangar. He is having a heck of a time landing it on pavement, as discussed in earlier posts.

The ag pilot, on the other hand, loves the airplane. He says he hasn't flown a "stocker" for years, and he's enjoying it because "you have to fly it the way it was designed to be flown."

No doubt about it! That's a weekend this year, no doubt.

Stearman is lots of fun as noted above. a challenge to get good a landing on paved runway, if you can practice on dirt or grass that would be a plus. Ours was easy on maintenance, we purchased a very good rebuilt one, so paid more in price less in care and fixing, either way you pay, but no maintenance issue almost ever in several years, was worth the bit extra in price.
Aerobatics in a Citabria are easier, less drag, landing much easier, and maintenance is simple.
Either is fun.
If you can, having a Stearman for a while in life is great memory maker, and like an older harley, noisy, oil leaks, some maintenance, but a kick to use and hear.
If you have a big itch and the money , scratch it!

We have a '42 N2S-3 that we L.O.V.E! There's not much more fun and rewarding than earning formation certification through StearmanFlight. Plenty if NOS parts are still available. If you're serious about a Stearman check in w/ Robbie Vajdos (Louise, TX). If you can swing through 1K1 look me up. it takes very little to talk me into a sortie as long as the ambient is > my age.