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 Post subject: Re: Stearman anybody?
PostPosted: 10 Feb 2014, 00:39 
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Joined: 01/07/08
Posts: 196
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Location: KCRQ Carlsbad, KTOA Torrance
Aircraft: Baron E-55, Stearman
Doug,

You are obviously a very experienced warbirds pilot and I agree with your assessment and given my choice I would rather be on grass. I love flying off grass and have, but, there are no grass strips around where I fly.

It can happen and I would be unhappy and hopefully unhurt but would fix it and do it again. What choice does one have other than remain on the sidelines? I've done that and it is no fun at all. I do practice often and flying on one main wheel often for the sight picture as well as crosswind landings. True, there is not a lot of room for error. Just trying to get "better all the time" as the Beatles would say.

I would guess there are some aircraft you fly that have reputations and are considered much more risky than flying the Stearman on pavement. Do you fly Stearmans off pavement? Just curious as you seem to fly a large variety of aircraft and I doubt there are grass strips or good balanced field lengths etc always available in many situations.

Rick


Last edited on 10 Feb 2014, 02:29, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject: Re: Stearman anybody?
PostPosted: 10 Feb 2014, 02:00 
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Joined: 03/09/11
Posts: 1517
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Aircraft: Last one a '70 V35B
Got to fly with these guys once, a long time ago. Their winter training site was just NW of Tucson. One day, one of their pilots asked me if I'd like to join the fellas for a little flying fun. We took off in formation, all 4 planes, and then broke off to have some fun on our own. What a blast! Some of the best flying I ever did even if it was only for an hour or so. Best part was when I heard over the headset, "It's your airplane."

Then I flew back to KFFZ in my V35B with a grin as big as all outdoors!


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 Post subject: Re: Stearman anybody?
PostPosted: 10 Feb 2014, 08:20 
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Joined: 02/03/08
Posts: 960
Post Likes: +1509
Location: Fort Worth (50F)
Aircraft: F33C, PT-17, Husky
Username Protected wrote:
Here are my words of warning about flying a stock Stearman on Pavement...

The Bottom wing of a Stearman is never more than a heartbeat away from being a canvas bag full of toothpicks.....

The Stearman is a glorious airplane, and a blast to fly... but nothing sends shivers down my spine like flying a stock Stearman on Pavement...


Doug-

Now you have surprised me.... didn't think that would happen.

gunny

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 Post subject: Re: Stearman anybody?
PostPosted: 10 Feb 2014, 08:50 
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Joined: 02/14/11
Posts: 3568
Post Likes: +2905
Company: Air Mass Aviation
Location: Seneca, SC (CEU)
Aircraft: 1979 Bonanza A36
Robert,
I see you are located in the NJ/NY area. I hate to give you such a practical opinion but flying a stearman in weather under 55 deg F or so is COLD
Flying in colder weather can be down right uncomfortable. Perhaps I have become spoiled by the weather in SC, but flying a Stearman in your area has the potential for being unpleasant about 8 months out of the year. Ask me how I know.

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Scott Massios CFI/CFII


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 Post subject: Re: Stearman anybody?
PostPosted: 10 Feb 2014, 09:50 
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Joined: 10/21/13
Posts: 53
Post Likes: +16
Aircraft: TBM7
[img]/Users/scottallen/Desktop/IMG_1211.JPG[/img]

I bought A Stearman about 3 years ago. A blast to fly and cheap to maintain. My annuals are under $1000. Very few problems. I fly from a paved runway, it takes some practice, but totally doable.
Mine had just been completely restored.
Scott


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 Post subject: Re: Stearman anybody?
PostPosted: 10 Feb 2014, 10:23 
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Joined: 08/10/13
Posts: 771
Post Likes: +289
Company: Woodrow Corp
Location: Springfield, OH (I54)
Aircraft: 1952 Bonanza C35
A Cessna 195 is worth a look.


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 Post subject: Re: Stearman anybody?
PostPosted: 10 Feb 2014, 11:11 
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Joined: 03/17/08
Posts: 6475
Post Likes: +14193
Location: KMCW
Aircraft: B55 PII,F-1,L-2,OTW,
Username Protected wrote:
Doug,

You are obviously a very experienced warbirds pilot and I agree with your assessment and given my choice I would rather be on grass. I love flying off grass and have, but, there are no grass strips around where I fly.

It can happen and I would be unhappy and hopefully unhurt but would fix it and do it again. What choice does one have other than remain on the sidelines? I've done that and it is no fun at all. I do practice often and flying on one main wheel often for the sight picture as well as crosswind landings. True, there is not a lot of room for error. Just trying to get "better all the time" as the Beatles would say.

I would guess there are some aircraft you fly that have reputations and are considered much more risky than flying the Stearman on pavement. Do you fly Stearmans off pavement? Just curious as you seem to fly a large variety of aircraft and I doubt there are grass strips or good balanced field lengths etc always available in many situations.

Rick


Rick,

I used to fly a stock Stearman quite a bit, and on pavement, and I did not say I wouldn't do it, I absolutely would, but it is a pay attention operation... Mostly because the Stearman is so docile in every way and most landings are a breeze, but every once in a while, and without warning, it nibbles or bites...

It is a wonderful airplane, but not an airplane to be disrespected... The CAF had two or 3 Stearman wing scrapes last season...

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Doug Rozendaal
MCW
Be Nice, Kind, I don't care, be something, just don't be a jerk ;-)


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 Post subject: Re: Stearman anybody?
PostPosted: 10 Feb 2014, 12:50 
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Joined: 12/13/07
Posts: 2645
Post Likes: +2900
Location: DFW, TX (KGKY)
Aircraft: B55, PT-17, J3, SNJ
Biplanes are a blast. Horsepower is your friend - the stock Stearmans and Wacos with the 220hp engines can be anemic. The 300hp Jake or Lycoming engines give a little more oomph. Not more speed, necessarily, (so much drag...) but certainly better takeoff performance and better tug for aerobatics, formation work etc.

Love my Waco...little to no maintenance (knock on wood) and pure fun. Ground handling is a little more forgiving than the narrow-track Stearmans. Cockpit a little more roomy. Only problem I've found with it is that I have small kids who I'm reluctant to take along for most flights. So it is primarily a fun toy for CK and the occasional buddy who rides along.


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 Post subject: Re: Stearman anybody?
PostPosted: 10 Feb 2014, 14:54 
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Joined: 02/03/08
Posts: 960
Post Likes: +1509
Location: Fort Worth (50F)
Aircraft: F33C, PT-17, Husky
Username Protected wrote:
Biplanes are a blast. Horsepower is your friend - the stock Stearmans and Wacos with the 220hp engines can be anemic. The 300hp Jake or Lycoming engines give a little more oomph. Not more speed, necessarily, (so much drag...) but certainly better takeoff performance and better tug for aerobatics, formation work etc.

Love my Waco...little to no maintenance (knock on wood) and pure fun. Ground handling is a little more forgiving than the narrow-track Stearmans. Cockpit a little more roomy. Only problem I've found with it is that I have small kids who I'm reluctant to take along for most flights. So it is primarily a fun toy for CK and the occasional buddy who rides along.


CK- fly it out to 50F one of these days... we've got two Stearmans at the field... could be fun! Gotta be warmer though!

gunny

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 Post subject: Re: Stearman anybody?
PostPosted: 10 Feb 2014, 15:45 
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Joined: 01/07/08
Posts: 196
Post Likes: +275
Location: KCRQ Carlsbad, KTOA Torrance
Aircraft: Baron E-55, Stearman
Quote:
It is a wonderful airplane, but not an airplane to be disrespected... The CAF had two or 3 Stearman wing scrapes last season...
Doug

My hangar neighbor is 95 and instructed in Stearmans and other planes of the era. He always tells me "Don't think your last landing has anything to do with the next one." and "you don't have to land, you have a throttle." I have found both to be true.

The Stearman serves to keep me humble.

Rick


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 Post subject: Re: Stearman anybody?
PostPosted: 10 Feb 2014, 18:43 
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Joined: 09/08/13
Posts: 761
Post Likes: +181
Company: Gene's Mountain View Auto
Location: 4B0 Upstate NY/ VRB Florida
Aircraft: 67 Debonair C33A
I LOVE biplanes.....had a Starduster Too for 10 years. Was always grinning whenever I flew it, but living in NY that's truth about only flying it about 4 months a year ( mine was open cockpit). Someday I sure as hell will get another biplane, but for now, flying my Deb is a dream that was worth giving up the biplane for.


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 Post subject: Re: Stearman anybody?
PostPosted: 10 Feb 2014, 20:24 
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Joined: 09/02/09
Posts: 8671
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Company: OAA
Location: Oklahoma City - PWA/Calistoga KSTS
Aircraft: UMF3, UBF 2, P180 II
Username Protected wrote:
I LOVE biplanes.....had a Starduster Too for 10 years. Was always grinning whenever I flew it, but living in NY that's truth about only flying it about 4 months a year ( mine was open cockpit). Someday I sure as hell will get another biplane, but for now, flying my Deb is a dream that was worth giving up the biplane for.


Gene,

I've looked at a lot of photos of Starduster Too's but never seen one in the flesh. Tell us all about them!

How is the ground handling? Can you see over the nose?
How are the manners on take off? Does it have a steerable and lockable tail wheel typically?
What about air handling? Roll rate, stability, stall behavior?
The cockpits look small. How hard/easy are they to get into? How would you compare to a Stearman cockpit which are quite large?


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 Post subject: Re: Stearman anybody?
PostPosted: 11 Feb 2014, 00:06 
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Joined: 09/08/13
Posts: 761
Post Likes: +181
Company: Gene's Mountain View Auto
Location: 4B0 Upstate NY/ VRB Florida
Aircraft: 67 Debonair C33A
Gene,

I've looked at a lot of photos of Starduster Too's but never seen one in the flesh. Tell us all about them!

How is the ground handling? Can you see over the nose?
How are the manners on take off? Does it have a steerable and lockable tail wheel typically?
What about air handling? Roll rate, stability, stall behavior?
The cockpits look small. How hard/easy are they to get into? How would you compare to a Stearman cockpit which are quite large?[/quote]

Hahaha! I'd be happy to.....
mine had an IO470...260 hp so it was quite a beast in climb ( 3500fpm was easy) but you had to watch adding power on takeoff, though the large rudder could handle it if you were awake.Ground handling was honest, visibility over the nose sucked, you learned to always slip to landing in order to see anything.Tailwheel steered, locking not needed nor equipped. Roll rate with 4 ailerons was brisk, but not like a Pitts. Stability was neutral, it stayed wherever you "put" it, and stalls were hardly worth noting, unless you tried a STEEP departure stall....then you'd better have that harness tight!No bad habits, it BEGGED to be racked around the sky, but always felt like you were part of the plane.I've done almost everything except tailslides (too hard on the rudder if it gets away). Cockpits are very snug....I'm 5'11", 200lbs would have been tight if much taller, a Stearman is WAY roomier. Wide open she'd do 165mph, easy cruise at 140 @ 13 gph.I REALLY miss that airplane!!


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 Post subject: Re: Stearman anybody?
PostPosted: 11 Feb 2014, 09:10 
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Joined: 10/21/13
Posts: 53
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Aircraft: TBM7
Didn't see the file upload yesterday.


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 Post subject: Re: Stearman anybody?
PostPosted: 11 Feb 2014, 10:34 
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Joined: 09/02/09
Posts: 8671
Post Likes: +9175
Company: OAA
Location: Oklahoma City - PWA/Calistoga KSTS
Aircraft: UMF3, UBF 2, P180 II
Scott,

Beautiful airplane!

Gene,

I'd like to fly one. It sounds like a great plane and they aren't very expensive to purchase either. Maybe Robert should consider one. At the end of the day, despite the cold temperature issue, a biplane is waaaay more fun to piddle around in than a closed cockpit!


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