First Stearman flight

Fri Jan 02, 2009 11:27 pm

I am still walking around with my head in the clouds! Around noon today in Lone Jack, Mo., My friend begged me to occupy the front hole in his PT-17.....After almost having to break my arm, I conceeded...It was about 40-ish degrees outside...but a beautiful sunny day...After a brief takeoff run to the south, with about a 5kt. crosswind, Mr. Lamb did a couple of clearing turns and said the dreded words "Your Plane!"...I relieved him of the flying duties, and proceeded with the patrol....He had mentioned earlier about a "hundred dollar hamberger", but being the economist that I am...(squeeky-pockets), I made an attempt to dive down to procure some of the finer samples of Missouri Bovine, that was absolutly fresh! Mr. Lamb then muttered something on the intercom about knowing the heard owners...so flew around the homestead a couple of laps...I noticed a couple of times a funny sound in the failing intercome ....I personally believed it to be enemy radio interference, so I ignored it...A little later,I kept feeling a funny shaking of the stick and a fluttering of the rudder...but I took total control of the situation, and wrestled the aircraft back to submission!..Mr Lamb was very proud of me as well as he kept patting me on the shoulder encouraging me in a job well done! Noticing the different sound the engine makes, when it gets rather low on fuel, I made Mr. Lamb take the controls back, I felt was time for him to earn his keep.
Seriously though, the PT-17 was one of the sweetest aircraft that I have ever flown! A little heavy on the controls, but for that large of an aircraft, it was very proportional....The rigging was perfect..I think I only hit the elev. trim once...thumb and index finger control on the stick...I've only got about 200 hrs in my mostly spam-can log book...but I had absolutly no trouble at all with altitude loss or gain, like I had in the pesky C-150's!
What a great day! Thanks Terry!

Fri Jan 02, 2009 11:53 pm

Now that you have flown a lumbering airplane come to Ohio and go for a Waco ride

Fri Jan 02, 2009 11:55 pm

I'll be in Detroit Monday, I may just head your way!

Sat Jan 03, 2009 12:01 am

wacoykc is correct. If you ever get the opportunity to compare a Stearman to a UPF7. You will never want to fly a Stearman again!

Sat Jan 03, 2009 12:07 am

Are you sure the heavy controls weren't Mr. Lamb trying to wrench them away from you in horror?

just askin... :lol:

Sat Jan 03, 2009 12:13 am

Yuo know, Muddyboots, the thought crossed my mind, but I swear I couldn't understand what Mr Lamb was sputtering about.......

Sat Jan 03, 2009 1:37 am

Now that you have flown a lumbering airplane come to Ohio and go for a Waco ride

Or you could just come over to Saint Louis. Creve Coeur (1H0) probably has the highest concentration of Wacos, of any airport in the country.

Sat Jan 03, 2009 7:26 am

stumac wrote:wacoykc is correct. If you ever get the opportunity to compare a Stearman to a UPF7. You will never want to fly a Stearman again!

Now boys you all know that those airplanes were made from the recycled wood that the aluminum came in for the N3N!!!!!

Sat Jan 03, 2009 10:37 am

Congrats Gary. I think you need to take up the offer of a Waco ride. Then you need a ride in an N3N and you can tell us what you think of all three planes.

I'll never forget my first ride in a stock Stearman. And I'll always treasure learning to fly a 450HP Stearman.

Les

Sat Jan 03, 2009 11:32 am

Those heavy controls makes you really appreciate the skills of John Mohr.

Steve G

Sat Jan 03, 2009 12:21 pm

Les,
I think you're onto something there! I believe I could give a completely unbiased opinion comparing the PT-17 with a similar model Waco, and the N3N...Although I have flown in seveal different New Standard bipes, I have never taken the controls....I can say that the New Standard was comparable to riding on an aircraft carrier as opposed to a row boat!

Sat Jan 03, 2009 3:02 pm

GARY HILTON wrote:Les,
I think you're onto something there! I believe I could give a completely unbiased opinion comparing the PT-17 with a similar model Waco, and the N3N...Although I have flown in seveal different New Standard bipes, I have never taken the controls....I can say that the New Standard was comparable to riding on an aircraft carrier as opposed to a row boat!

Come to Geneseo in 2009, we will make sure that you have the "WRIGHT" opinion on which airplane is better!!

Sun Jan 04, 2009 6:06 pm

Here's a pic of the PT-17

Sun Jan 04, 2009 6:08 pm

Oh, by the way, the Stearman is very forgiving of el mas grande people!
Signed...275lbs of Harpoon ballast.

Sun Jan 04, 2009 6:39 pm

GARY HILTON wrote:

Here's a pic of the PT-17

Not bad................................................ :shock:

OMG did I say that. Yuk where is the soap, I need to wash my mouth out.