Exciting!

I could never figure out how to predict the momentum of the initial touchdown before those big tires got rolling on a wheelie. A friend used to give it a quick bounce which would get the wheels spinning, then a roll-on was cake. I had less than 20 landings so....

3pts are great (preferred I think), except for those few seconds when nobody is flying...

Enjoy that bird. Pure fun!

What you give up in visibility you gain in going as slow as possible when the ground loop starts!

Looked through the WWII Stearman pilots' instruction manual last night (previous owner had a treasure trove of stuff he gave me with the plane). Found this nugget (I'm paraphrasing, will try to snap a picture and post):

Section 104 - Crosswind Landings

Avoid crosswind landings at all costs. In the event you must land with a crosswind, undertake to keep the airplane tracking straight until able to taxi to the apron. Take all precautions during this time to avoid the Ground Loop.

So, there you have it. How to fly a Stearman in a nutshell.

Didn't you have a Waco? When I had a Stearman, I wanted a Waco. Looks like you are traveling the same road in the opposite direction. Enjoy!

Yeah, the shortest distance between two points is via Waco ownership.

Loved the Waco, but an hour or so every other weekend didn't justify the massive investment sitting in the hangar. Looked at Super Cubs, Citabrias etc etc as a replacement but couldn't find the right 'fit'. Missed the 'story' that comes with an old biplane with a history.

Then I went and flew a Stearman that was for sale here in North Texas and loved it. Big tall beast that opens up like a tin can when you need to work on something. So here was a chance for a biplane experience for less than half what I had in the Waco.

That particular one didn't work out, but this one came through instead...slower and less power than what I had, but heck I only flew it to breakfast on Saturdays anyway!

Just like that eh?

Its that last 18" where you are praying for calm.

Wacos are cool, but Stearman are just big beasts that are perfect for Saturday mornings. Let me know when you work up to the inverted spins... That's in the Army manual somewhere too. I think they made a great video as well..

"Dear Army Aviator, if you can't get your feet on the pedals, you are inverted fyi"

:)

Inverted spins??

I have only just begun my journey, Jesse-san.

The next John Mohr will not be built in a day.

Don't worry, those that know say you can't tell the difference in an inverted and an upright spin anyway.

CK,

Congratulations! I have been wanting to get back into open hole flying too so I'm envious!

I think a comparison of flying the Waco and the Boeing would be really interesting when you've had time to fly your new plane enough to do it.

Beautiful plane CK!!

You didn't happen to be in the Temple area this morning around 9 am were you? A stearman in the same AAC colors fly near my house.

Let me know when the first Hicks run will be. Need some pics!

Between work and the weather, it has been a beating working in some Stearman flying. But it is in the hangar and ready to go!

We installed a set of Redline brakes and a rubber donut tailwheel after purchase...and Robbie flew it up earlier this week. I'm supposed to do a checkout on Sunday - weather forecast good, but winds out of the west at 20.

The runway, of course, runs north and south.

And if you look closely at the tire picture, you'll see it has already peed some oil out of the breather tube (which runs down the strut).

Marking territory!

I had a Stearman for a few years. Great fun. Flew it once (in October!) from WV to LA for a fly-in. got to experience flying a Stearman in snow......


Loved it.

Tell Robbie hi for me.



stan

Rainy day, but went out and opened it up. Clean, despite 15-20 hours of flying time to get it ferried here. Engine seems dry and happy. Organized the cockpit. This thing is built like the Brooklyn Bridge!