I went up in a 41 Stearman in 1993,,,near Rte 9 in Delaware , eastern shore...The Pilot said he just flew the plane from Texas the day before having purchased it there...Well , we went up , and he gave me the stick control and pedals, but as a complete novice I did not make any severe moves, just glazed into the motions of the aeroplane for about 7 or 8 minutes...He said i didnt do too bad as a 1st timer...It was the most coolest experience ans one that I always wanted to do .We were just driving down the road and we saw the plane land in a field , late it turned out to be a hangar,,I gave him some money for the Petrol ,but he wouldnt accept it until i insisted...Your video gave me that same experience once again...Thank you brother...I hope you got to fly the Spit that your Granpappy flew...Good Luck...
Thanks! And I really appreciate the feedback that the video felt close to the actual experience! I made several in this series, including the back seat check out!
I'm really excited to be embarking on this journey learning to fly warbirds... And I'm happy to share it. This video is being released a couple days early because I am heading to ATL with the crew tonight (we're shooting some pretty awesome stuff including flying a full motion 737 sim and Carbon Cub (build + flight :). I won't be replying to comments for a few days, but will get caught up after I return. We're having a meet up while we are in Atlanta on the 24th of Sept! check the description for details.
Being in ATL I have a feeling I know what simulator your talking about and I would highly suggest while in ATL though I'm sure your pretty busy dropping by the National Museum of Commercial Aviation its in a small shopping center but features many aviation artifacts, simulators and a full entire un-museum proofed 727 (though you do have to ask to see the 727 seeing as it is kept off sight).
+FlightChops I'm only a two hour drive to the East in Augusta. I'll be doing doing a photo shoot at Daniel Field with 4 Stearman in formation in a couple weeks. I am just hoping for good weather over the few days we have scheduled. I'll try to get as much footage as I can.
Its pretty cool at 6:36 to see the camera angles aligned with the horizon as you make the turns. The tailwheel is spot on and you can see the edge of the wing ride the horizon perfectly. Good job!
Very cool vid! Dennis seems like a fun guy to fly with. Lots of great info. Will be fun to see you fly these warbirds...especially when you get some time in Spitfire. Experiencing the same feeling of what your grandfather experienced.
Very nice. My CFI at my club here in Switzerland is a retired Swiss International Airlines captain. A group of airlines pilots, of which he is a member, own an ex-Argentinian Air Force Stearman (HB-RBG). Our club had an open house event several weeks ago where they were taking people up for rides so he organised to bring the Stearman to our airfield. The week before the open house he offered to take club members up. So I also got a chance to fly the Stearman and he even let me do some simple aerobatics. It is a beautiful plane very easy to handle in the air but as you say pretty poor forward visibility especially when landing. He let me forward slip her down to the flare and then he kicked her straight and announced now we pray ;-). I said afterwards we need to get one of those for our club. I am really envious of your training.
Nice work Steve & crew. The Stearman is what hooked me on aviation, it was my first ride in a "small" aircraft and we did aerobatics. A few years later I got my multi cfi :) what a beautiful plane Dennis has there.
Steve! Thanks for bringing Augies training manual to life again, it sat for so many years before he gave it to me, he will be honored to see it with his name on it in this video!
+Superbimo I'm so glad you feel that way about it! I was sort of racing to finish this edit before leaving to go to Atlanta for a few days (just got back tonight), and at the last minute before publishing it, I wondered if I should blur his name... but then I thought, no, that is the way the book is, and I hope he'd be happy to know it was his book that we were we further sharing, after he'd shared it in the first place... Phew - I'm so glad you agree :)
Love it Steve......keep it up. I started experimenting with a "tailcam"myself.... Nothing on the order of Flight Chops " going on here, but having some fun. I truly love Dennis' style. There are people that can fly, and people that can teach. A rarity is someone that does them both, simultaneously, and with such mastery. Wish I lived closer . I'd certainly be putting some $ in his pocket and taking advantage of his instruction. Crap...now it's two weeks before another Flight Chops! :-)
Hey man the one thing I noticed and it's not a problem at all is that you afraid yer gonna hurt that plane and I swear to ya that ole girl can take what ever she can produce don't be afraid to take control your doing great
Great video as usual. I love the illustrations from the old days. I think the military had a better sense of humor then. My great uncle flew tbm Avengers in the Pacific. I dream of flying warlords so I'm pretty exited about this series. Cheers
+Paul Carstens Thanks Paul - I figured releasing this one early with a pop up annotation was a good chance to get the word out about the meet up one last time, before leaving... OK this is my last comment reply for now - I am racing to pack now - See ya in a few hours! :)
So cool to see this tonight. Earlier today (Sep. 22) I got to fly a Citabria again for the first time in years. While I was flying, I told my instructor about your web series. Very timely for both of us!
Power off, best glide, hit your spot. That's how I learned to fly even in Cessnas, and I think it's still a better way to train and practice in light single engine aircraft. Looking good!
Dennis is for certain an awesome guy to have behind you - in both senses. There are a couple of instructors I know who would certainly learn a thing or two from his style. Once again, another well shot, well produced and interesting video Steve - keep 'em coming.
+FlightChops It's important to me, because english is not my native language, but I can understand every single word in your speech. Thanks :) Your videos are instructive. BTW I fly taildraggers for 9 years, and it's a lot of fun, but only small planes, like Piper Super Cub, or Piper Vagabond. Old warbirds, like Stearman, are my dream. But here in my country is only one Stearman.
Now I have destination for next summer: Toronto. :-) thank you very much. I also like aircraft photography - spotting. If you are interested, you will find me on FB - facebook.com/frantisek.kanka here I have many photos.
+weatherandsky Thanks Kerry! and yes, get on it! You should celebrate getting your PPL done with a ride in the Stearman before she's put away for the winter!
I really would love to go thought the same training that your going through my dream is to fly the same Spitfires an Mustangs I can only hope one day my dreams come true! Thanks for sharing!!
Another great video, Steve. Makes me anxious to get up in a Stearman again. I get to do some dual flying in one every now and then but not for the last six months or so due to overseas trips, Winter weather (Southern Hemisphere), etc. Hopefully soon. It is an awesome aeroplane and far more challenging than a 172 or Cherokee, particularly with a bit of "Good, honest cross-wind" as my instructor puts it! Next step, a Harvard?? (Fantastic 'plane, too). There's a two-seat Spit down here in NZ!! (I can dream, I guess :) )
Thanks for that one - and I'm looking forward to the series, sounds like it might take while but we'll be with you all the way. BTW - Beautiful landscape to be flying over, but that's a novel way to position an airport - apparently built around the 100 Acre Wood. Ever see Winnie or Piglet roaming around there? :)
I know this sounds a bit weird but all i can think is man i am happy for you, you set out on a journey and you are living it and i can imagine having tons of fun. I hope someday i might get the chance to fly some old birds myself. For now i am still looking for a CFI in my area, i'm in SE Kansas and there isn't a whole lot going on "out here" lol
+Jake Sanchez - Thanks Jake! Ya it is a fun ride. If you would like to try some training with Dennis in the Stearman, we can make that happen - let me know.
That would be a dream come true, but in case i didn't make it clear from my comment i only have about 1 hour at the controls of a c152, currently looking for a CFI close to here to get some time working towards a private license but so far i'm only finding CFI's that are 60+ miles away. Would Dennis let someone with 1 hour at the controls fly this beautiful beast?
I was chatting with a couple of the other service crew members from CHAA in Tillsonburg and we all think it would be awesome for you to come out to CYTB someday and go flying in some beautiful yellow birds. A Harvard or a Yale. I've been lucky enough to go up twice this summer and I think I'm addicted.
One of the many things I love about Stearmans is that they are NOT "War Birds". They are, of course, unarmed trainers. They didn't wage war, they were thousands of fledgling pilot's first taste of flying.
Well I have to disagree that the lower wing stalls first, it is a necessary multi wing design consideration that the foreword wing stalls first so that the average longitudinal position of lift moves aft ward, making the aircraft become more nose heavy (more stable and naturally stall recovering) as opposed to the rearward wing stalling first making the aircraft tail heavy upon stalling (very dangerous). The instructor (and aircraft builder I think?) stated that the bottom wing has a 1° higher angle of incidence. This is because the upper wing effects the airflow over the bottom wing, allowing it to have a higher angle of incidence while also stalling last.
+Samm Sheperd (SNRS) I found this on www.stearman.net and it better supports your statement of the upper wing needing to stall first. Given the distance between the upper and lower wings I think that there would be very little influence from the respective airflows. Lift generated by the boundary layer isn't very thick, the upper surface of the lower wing causing a greater change in relative airflow direction and velocity. Besides if there was interference it would surely be inclined produce a venturi effect. "If the stagger is correct, the incidence will be correct if the wings are not warped. The upper wing incidence is 4 degrees. The lower wing incidence is adjustable at each tip but is fixed at the fuselage to a setting of 3 degrees." PS another great video Steve!
Perhaps you should get more facts before making assertive claims. I'm sure your vast experience in model building helps but not this time. Stearman horizontal tails are upward facing airfoils, I.e....they lift up and that provides the nose down pitch required for stall recovery. Stick to balsa models.
+dennis simo hey thanks for the comment I'm just here to learn from others. It would be really cool if you can find me some reading material on the steerman and its lifting tail. I haven't been able to find it. To my knowledge some of the very early small airplanes had lifting tails, but all were very hard to fly and unstable. I've heard a lot about how well the steerman flies to it's hard to believe it had a lifting tail design. I haven't worked much around a steerman but I have some flying hours in a WACO classic biplane and it has a flat plate tail section just like every other fabric covered airplane I've worked with. Would be cool if you found some pictures of its upward camber tail plane.
Let's agree to disagree...somewhat. Sam is correct in the upper wing is indeed mounted at a higher angle of incidence. However, the upper wing also has more area and therefore carries more of the load. I don't know which wing stalls first, don't care. I may have misspoke but the fact is... The stall warning comes via the ailerons as there is no other warning. Period. But... It saddens me that so many people devote so much time picking apart such little details. Stop trolling for minor mistakes and enjoy the meat of the matter.
+dennis simo Oh man I'm sorry, I was not trying to sound picky or critical of this video, I really enjoyed it. I just noticed it and I didn't want others who might be interested in aircraft design and stability to me confused or mislead, I have found this subject very interesting and continually strive to better understand it. And I may need to realize that others don't need to be told little details that I've found so interesting. As a soon to be flight instructor I'm trying to figure out how to "dumb down" lessons and figure out what people actually need to know. I'm just really annoyed when people tech things that are wrong.
Hi, I'm 17 and I have my PPL checkride next weekend. I'll be starting training in a Stearman very soon and I was wondering what camera mounts you use to get all those angles, I am currently using a Garmin VIRB Elite which is a little bulky. One day the goal is to be flying a P-51 as these planes are all part of an organization with the need for new pilots. Great video, this just makes me even more excited I currently have around an hour in a PT-17!
I know you've had some time with the aero shell team's AT-6s but I would highly suggest that you get some good training time on an AT-6 to make the training more authentic to that of a World War Two pilot. From what I understand Canada used the AT-6 as a fighter trainer as well as a bomber. Thank you for posting these videos I have greatly enjoyed watching your flying journey!
+Camera Bird The AT-6 / Harvard is absolutely on my list, but it is a significant step up from the Stearman in terms of complexity and unforgiving handling characteristics. There was a brief time when primary training as attempted in the AT-6 / Harvard..... it didn't go well for a lot of students... But I do look forward to tackling that beast! Then it is onto the Spitfire!
I wouldnt try an ILS approach in that thing but it looks fun or a lot of work to fly. Perhaps I am getting lazy and need some tail wheel time.......Nice video Steve
Quick comment, I'm on the other side of aviation, early 80s mechanic on DC-3s and Trislander in S Florida and then ramper for Piedmont, USAir and now American in Seattle. Lifelong Av-geek and just love your vids and Steveo's in FL. This is my porn.
That's so cool. I hope to get tailwheel "differences training" one day; maybe combine it with some aerobatic lessons on our flight school's Super Decathlon. Some day. Do you know what type the amphibious floatplane is in 4:31? It looks like a Murphy Moose, but it's hard to be sure.
+FlightChops Hey, thanks for the reply. Good job avoiding it! I'm pretty sure now it's a Moose. It's not a Beaver, and there aren't many others like it. There's a Moose here where I fly, still Canadian-registered: www.flickr.com/photos/pink_dispatcher/albums/72157647736495802
Can somebody confirm that the lower wing on a Stearman is 1 degree higher incidence than the top? That would be very unusual on a biplane with conventional forward stagger. The top wing stalling first would make the nose drop naturally, being further forward, which is desirable.
The way I explain flying a Stearman is simply, a little difficult to takeoff , a dream to fly , and a b#tch to land . When landing the number one mistake is TO FAST TO LAND ! Line it up , on short final put the trim to the 10 o’clock position keep the speed down to 65 get about 3or 4 feet over the runway and hold it off with no power and it will smoothly set down . If you come to NC I’ll take you flying in our Stearman.😁
When you touch down, the little voice in your head should be saying "stick back, back, back", then interrupted by the sound of a cat peeing on wet grass. (Maybe a little rumbling, if the ground''s rough.) Did they train with the student in the front cockpit? That would produce a big C.G. change on the first solo.
+avro549B Thanks for that input. And yeah. I think only the first couple flights had the student up front, then they moved to the back for the rest of the pre solo training.
+avro549B I honestly don't remember, but I'd say probably not as I landed sooner than planed in more of a wheel landing attitude than a 3 point like I was aiming to. I hope to fly this plane a lot more before the end of this season so I will aim to get more comfortable with getting it stalled on touch down.
+ArunaArts ummm YES! You wouldn't happen to be talking about Boultbee Flight Academy would you? It is my life goal to get there and train on the Spitfire!
+FlightChops That is where I'm talking about! I'm learning next door to there and am friendly with a lot of the staff! Is it cool if I ask the director to look you up?
+ArunaArts Hell yes! It will save me "cold calling" them :) I'm not sure exactly how soon I will have the resources together to go there with my film crew to shoot the training; but if they'll allow it, that is my goal. I guess starting to talk with them sooner rather than later would be a good idea :)
I went today and did my 4th Solo. :) I’m learning on the Super Cub, I had to call it a day though after 4 circuits, it got way to bumpy for my liking, which was a little bit disappointing. The guy I need to talk to wasn’t in today but I did have a long talk with the GM of the aerodrome, about this and other things, and, although I really wouldn’t like to get your hopes up, it does look like it could be a possibility. Could I have some contact details? Phone number, email, etc?
I had a flight booked in an original Stearman painted in Airforce colors ( Seen here: www.omaka.org.nz/omaka-joyrides.htm ) Unfortunately the weather was too windy for the pilot so I couldn't get up there, major disappointment, it's a gorgeous aircraft and after seeing the series you're doing on it I was super hyped, oh well, maybe another day right? Love the channel, keep it up (:
Enjoyed watching, just a question or two and comment, weren't most of these WW1 Birds or were they also used in WW2? Is it true that they were used to fight Ace pilots like the Red Barron? The closest I have gotten to one of these is MS Flight there is a Stearman in it but I doubt the flight dynamics are anywhere near real, but still fun to fly virtually. Thanks
+Chris Serio You'll have to watch parts 1 and 2 of the Stearman series :) - links in the description; seriously, I am proud of those films... But the short answer is that the airplane turns info a refrigerator (something heavy and with out wings) when it get's too slow, and it simply sinks and falls out of the sky.
+Thomas McAdoo first and foremost, my friend Chris at bighonkinspaceship dot com - They composed the original Flight Chops theme, stinger and several other tracks for my stuff. After that, it if premiumbeat and pond5 for licensing tracks.
+Timotheus Timster The cost of the airplanes is nothing compared to production expenses to create these videos. Thankfully crowd finding and sponsorships have helped a lot with offsetting those costs.
+Timotheus Timster Dennis built the Stearman over three years; so it is a lot of "sweat equity"... the rest of the planes are either school planes or private planes that we rent / borrow
I went up in a 41 Stearman in 1993,,,near Rte 9 in Delaware , eastern shore...The Pilot said he just flew the plane from Texas the day before having purchased it there...Well , we went up , and he gave me the stick control and pedals, but as a complete novice I did not make any severe moves, just glazed into the motions of the aeroplane for about 7 or 8 minutes...He said i didnt do too bad as a 1st timer...It was the most coolest experience ans one that I always wanted to do .We were just driving down the road and we saw the plane land in a field , late it turned out to be a hangar,,I gave him some money for the Petrol ,but he wouldnt accept it until i insisted...Your video gave me that same experience once again...Thank you brother...I hope you got to fly the Spit that your Granpappy flew...Good Luck...
Thanks! And I really appreciate the feedback that the video felt close to the actual experience! I made several in this series, including the back seat check out!
I'm really excited to be embarking on this journey learning to fly warbirds... And I'm happy to share it.
This video is being released a couple days early because I am heading to ATL with the crew tonight (we're shooting some pretty awesome stuff including flying a full motion 737 sim and Carbon Cub (build + flight :). I won't be replying to comments for a few days, but will get caught up after I return. We're having a meet up while we are in Atlanta on the 24th of Sept! check the description for details.
Being in ATL I have a feeling I know what simulator your talking about and I would highly suggest while in ATL though I'm sure your pretty busy dropping by the National Museum of Commercial Aviation its in a small shopping center but features many aviation artifacts, simulators and a full entire un-museum proofed 727 (though you do have to ask to see the 727 seeing as it is kept off sight).
+FlightChops I'm only a two hour drive to the East in Augusta. I'll be doing doing a photo shoot at Daniel Field with 4 Stearman in formation in a couple weeks. I am just hoping for good weather over the few days we have scheduled. I'll try to get as much footage as I can.
+FlightChops I just started my private pilot training in St. Louis. These videos have been great!
+Greg Langston Thanks! Glad you're enjoying them!
i need help finding a way to get trained on a stearman too, preferably in the USA, pacific NW or the SW of canada
Its pretty cool at 6:36 to see the camera angles aligned with the horizon as you make the turns. The tailwheel is spot on and you can see the edge of the wing ride the horizon perfectly. Good job!
Cool, thanks!
Glad to see this one still getting some views - I think it's evergreen, even if a few years old.
Very cool vid! Dennis seems like a fun guy to fly with. Lots of great info. Will be fun to see you fly these warbirds...especially when you get some time in Spitfire. Experiencing the same feeling of what your grandfather experienced.
+steveo1kinevo Thanks Steveo!
hes the cheif flight instructor for a reason !
My only warbird time was about half an hour in a Tigermoth with a friend, but that little taste definitely left me wanting more. Way to go!!
Love the views. My GF flew a Sopwith Camel in WW1. It was a daring process, learning to fly back then. Thank you.
Very nice. My CFI at my club here in Switzerland is a retired Swiss International Airlines captain. A group of airlines pilots, of which he is a member, own an ex-Argentinian Air Force Stearman (HB-RBG). Our club had an open house event several weeks ago where they were taking people up for rides so he organised to bring the Stearman to our airfield. The week before the open house he offered to take club members up. So I also got a chance to fly the Stearman and he even let me do some simple aerobatics. It is a beautiful plane very easy to handle in the air but as you say pretty poor forward visibility especially when landing. He let me forward slip her down to the flare and then he kicked her straight and announced now we pray ;-). I said afterwards we need to get one of those for our club. I am really envious of your training.
+Geoffrey Engelbrecht I'll do my best to continue to share the training in as much detail as I can :)
Nice work Steve & crew. The Stearman is what hooked me on aviation, it was my first ride in a "small" aircraft and we did aerobatics. A few years later I got my multi cfi :) what a beautiful plane Dennis has there.
+cencalmatt Wow - cool that you got to ride one as your intro to small planes!
Steve! Thanks for bringing Augies training manual to life again, it sat for so many years before he gave it to me, he will be honored to see it with his name on it in this video!
+Superbimo I'm so glad you feel that way about it! I was sort of racing to finish this edit before leaving to go to Atlanta for a few days (just got back tonight), and at the last minute before publishing it, I wondered if I should blur his name... but then I thought, no, that is the way the book is, and I hope he'd be happy to know it was his book that we were we further sharing, after he'd shared it in the first place... Phew - I'm so glad you agree :)
never was a huge stearman fan but she is a beautiful bird ....yet another great vid keep em comin
Very impressive, she on rails at 60 knots right down to the ground. Well done!
+bazwabat1 Thanks! I was really focusing on getting it right on that one :)
Good ole power off 180! What a treat that must have been, hopefully one day i'll get a few tenths in something that old..
Gonna see Vicky Benzing perform at my local airshow in her 1940 Boeing Stearman. Should be awesome! Love the sound of the Stearman!
Possibly the most visually beautiful video I've seen on the channel
+Mirandorl Thanks! I really appreciate that - truth is, I got lucky - I had a beautiful airplane to film in perfect golden late day light!
Stearmans are such a great aircraft!
A video a day after I pass my Private Knowledge exam first time with a good score. Must be my lucky day.
+Golvic Happy to oblige! And congrats on getting that exam done!
Thank you. Now all I have is the practical test and after that written test the practical should be a breeze. Right? Right? Why are you all laughing?
Thank you for publishing this video. The Stearman is one of my "dream" aircraft to own, and any vids I appreciate greatly.
+Steve Fridell Come fly it with Dennis! How far from Toronto are you?
+FlightChops I'm in the Seattle area, so not in the near future, but thanks for the invite I would love to go up with Dennis. Perhaps next summer.
Just wait for the red mist. I just snorted coffee out my nose. Thanks mate.
+RCShufty No problem - and I love that you stuck with it right to the end :)
Of course! I sincerely appreciate your work.
Love it Steve......keep it up. I started experimenting with a "tailcam"myself.... Nothing on the order of Flight Chops " going on here, but having some fun. I truly love Dennis' style. There are people that can fly, and people that can teach. A rarity is someone that does them both, simultaneously, and with such mastery. Wish I lived closer . I'd certainly be putting some $ in his pocket and taking advantage of his instruction.
Crap...now it's two weeks before another Flight Chops! :-)
+Sean Mulligan Thanks! And yes, I'm lucky to have Dennis so close, and we're all lucky he is willing to share via these videos! More coming soon!
Hey man the one thing I noticed and it's not a problem at all is that you afraid yer gonna hurt that plane and I swear to ya that ole girl can take what ever she can produce don't be afraid to take control your doing great
Good stuff, that last landing was great.
Great video as usual. I love the illustrations from the old days. I think the military had a better sense of humor then. My great uncle flew tbm Avengers in the Pacific. I dream of flying warlords so I'm pretty exited about this series. Cheers
+Nathan Higgins Awesome! I expect to make many episodes for this series!
WOW what a landing!! basicly blind looked perfect to me!!
Very nice video. Even a non-flyer like me can watch it and feel they have gained another insight about how flying is done. This is a great channel.
I'm a non-flyer but I have had a go ON a Boeing Stearman! Yes I've been stood up there on top of that wing!
Yes to flying in to the meet up at Elevation Chophouse, KRYY. Park at Hawthorne, adjacent to the restaurant. See you there!
+Paul Carstens Thanks Paul - I figured releasing this one early with a pop up annotation was a good chance to get the word out about the meet up one last time, before leaving... OK this is my last comment reply for now - I am racing to pack now - See ya in a few hours! :)
Wow this is something I am passionate about!!! Can't wait for you to do this series! Would love to see watch how they did flight training back then.
+Dream2Fly Right on! I'm looking forward to sharing this process in as much detail as possible!
So cool to see this tonight. Earlier today (Sep. 22) I got to fly a Citabria again for the first time in years. While I was flying, I told my instructor about your web series. Very timely for both of us!
+goatflieg Right on! Glad the timing worked out :)
Excellent video sir. Looks like it flies like a giant J-3 cub.
+Ryan Dembroski That's about right :P
Wonderful! Tough beast to land.
(Love that last page of the manual!)
+Alex Feldstein I know, right? I had a good LOL at that last page!
Great video, Mr Chops. Look forward to the next!
Good Vid as always Steve, keep up the great work! Love the "First Solo" certificate at the end!
That was a very nice landing!
+Claudio Nicolotti Thanks!
Power off, best glide, hit your spot. That's how I learned to fly even in Cessnas, and I think it's still a better way to train and practice in light single engine aircraft. Looking good!
+flyingfiddler Agered - I actually learned in gliders - no going around in those things :P
Dennis is for certain an awesome guy to have behind you - in both senses. There are a couple of instructors I know who would certainly learn a thing or two from his style.
Once again, another well shot, well produced and interesting video Steve - keep 'em coming.
+Andrew Tuley Thanks Andrew! We've got a lot more on the way!
I am literally going flying after I finish writing this Great Video !!!
Bill Fernandez i wish...
Big thumbs up Steve, another awesome video!
+TheSumOfAllForces Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
What a beautiful plane, thank you for sharing your experiences! I'm speechless, well, for me anyway. :D
Your voice is so soothing especially in comments, I like your videos. Keep flying man.
+František Kaňka Thanks for the friendly feedback! I try to keep it natural and conversational - glad you enjoy the delivery.
+FlightChops It's important to me, because english is not my native language, but I can understand every single word in your speech. Thanks :) Your videos are instructive. BTW I fly taildraggers for 9 years, and it's a lot of fun, but only small planes, like Piper Super Cub, or Piper Vagabond. Old warbirds, like Stearman, are my dream. But here in my country is only one Stearman.
+František Kaňka Thanks again, and if you ever make it to Toronto / Canada in the summer, we'll get you up with Dennis in that Stearman!
Now I have destination for next summer: Toronto. :-) thank you very much. I also like aircraft photography - spotting. If you are interested, you will find me on FB - facebook.com/frantisek.kanka here I have many photos.
Great piloting! Living the dream!
thanks for upload. great idea to do a series on WW2 training
+The Real Plato Glad you liked it! I'm looking forward to sharing more of this stuff!
Another great vid Steve! Thanks!! Looks like so much fun to train in foxu.
+weatherandsky Thanks Kerry! and yes, get on it! You should celebrate getting your PPL done with a ride in the Stearman before she's put away for the winter!
My flight school in Annapolis gave out those Solo Certiifcates in the 70s.
+hypnojdm That's awesome! Did they cross out the 4 in the decade, or was there a new one printed that had a 7?
very cool, awesome even thanks very much for the video
+Brian Kidd Glad you enjoyed it Brian!
I really would love to go thought the same training that your going through my dream is to fly the same Spitfires an Mustangs I can only hope one day my dreams come true! Thanks for sharing!!
Another great video, Steve. Makes me anxious to get up in a Stearman again. I get to do some dual flying in one every now and then but not for the last six months or so due to overseas trips, Winter weather (Southern Hemisphere), etc. Hopefully soon. It is an awesome aeroplane and far more challenging than a 172 or Cherokee, particularly with a bit of "Good, honest cross-wind" as my instructor puts it! Next step, a Harvard?? (Fantastic 'plane, too). There's a two-seat Spit down here in NZ!! (I can dream, I guess :) )
+ZKBJC Thanks! and yes, Harvard and then Spitfire are in the future plans!
All my life wanted to fly in a stearman!
Thanks for that one - and I'm looking forward to the series, sounds like it might take while but we'll be with you all the way.
BTW - Beautiful landscape to be flying over, but that's a novel way to position an airport - apparently built around the 100 Acre Wood. Ever see Winnie or Piglet roaming around there? :)
+Quebec Kilo Thanks! and agreed, this is a nice area to fly!
I know this sounds a bit weird but all i can think is man i am happy for you, you set out on a journey and you are living it and i can imagine having tons of fun. I hope someday i might get the chance to fly some old birds myself. For now i am still looking for a CFI in my area, i'm in SE Kansas and there isn't a whole lot going on "out here" lol
+Jake Sanchez - Thanks Jake! Ya it is a fun ride. If you would like to try some training with Dennis in the Stearman, we can make that happen - let me know.
That would be a dream come true, but in case i didn't make it clear from my comment i only have about 1 hour at the controls of a c152, currently looking for a CFI close to here to get some time working towards a private license but so far i'm only finding CFI's that are 60+ miles away. Would Dennis let someone with 1 hour at the controls fly this beautiful beast?
I was chatting with a couple of the other service crew members from CHAA in Tillsonburg and we all think it would be awesome for you to come out to CYTB someday and go flying in some beautiful yellow birds. A Harvard or a Yale. I've been lucky enough to go up twice this summer and I think I'm addicted.
+Keith Burr Thanks Keith! I need to get out there! I'm just thinking I'll work up to the Harvard, and do the Chipmunk with CH2A first...
+FlightChops yesterday when I was out there I met one of our newest members. Dennis is his instructor as well.
One of the many things I love about Stearmans is that they are NOT "War Birds". They are, of course, unarmed trainers. They didn't wage war, they were thousands of fledgling pilot's first taste of flying.
Well I have to disagree that the lower wing stalls first, it is a necessary multi wing design consideration that the foreword wing stalls first so that the average longitudinal position of lift moves aft ward, making the aircraft become more nose heavy (more stable and naturally stall recovering) as opposed to the rearward wing stalling first making the aircraft tail heavy upon stalling (very dangerous). The instructor (and aircraft builder I think?) stated that the bottom wing has a 1° higher angle of incidence. This is because the upper wing effects the airflow over the bottom wing, allowing it to have a higher angle of incidence while also stalling last.
+Samm Sheperd (SNRS) I found this on www.stearman.net and it better supports your statement of the upper wing needing to stall first. Given the distance between the upper and lower wings I think that there would be very little influence from the respective airflows. Lift generated by the boundary layer isn't very thick, the upper surface of the lower wing causing a greater change in relative airflow direction and velocity. Besides if there was interference it would surely be inclined produce a venturi effect. "If the stagger is correct, the incidence will be correct if the wings are not warped. The upper wing incidence is 4 degrees. The lower wing incidence is adjustable at each tip but is fixed at the fuselage to a setting of 3 degrees."
PS another great video Steve!
Perhaps you should get more facts before making assertive claims. I'm sure your vast experience in model building helps but not this time. Stearman horizontal tails are upward facing airfoils, I.e....they lift up and that provides the nose down pitch required for stall recovery. Stick to balsa models.
+dennis simo hey thanks for the comment I'm just here to learn from others. It would be really cool if you can find me some reading material on the steerman and its lifting tail. I haven't been able to find it. To my knowledge some of the very early small airplanes had lifting tails, but all were very hard to fly and unstable. I've heard a lot about how well the steerman flies to it's hard to believe it had a lifting tail design. I haven't worked much around a steerman but I have some flying hours in a WACO classic biplane and it has a flat plate tail section just like every other fabric covered airplane I've worked with. Would be cool if you found some pictures of its upward camber tail plane.
Let's agree to disagree...somewhat. Sam is correct in the upper wing is indeed mounted at a higher angle of incidence. However, the upper wing also has more area and therefore carries more of the load. I don't know which wing stalls first, don't care. I may have misspoke but the fact is... The stall warning comes via the ailerons as there is no other warning. Period. But... It saddens me that so many people devote so much time picking apart such little details. Stop trolling for minor mistakes and enjoy the meat of the matter.
+dennis simo Oh man I'm sorry, I was not trying to sound picky or critical of this video, I really enjoyed it. I just noticed it and I didn't want others who might be interested in aircraft design and stability to me confused or mislead, I have found this subject very interesting and continually strive to better understand it. And I may need to realize that others don't need to be told little details that I've found so interesting. As a soon to be flight instructor I'm trying to figure out how to "dumb down" lessons and figure out what people actually need to know. I'm just really annoyed when people tech things that are wrong.
BTW, also got two hours dual instruction in a Stearman... Watsonville, CA... maybe, 1984 or so?
nice videos
awesome
Man! I would so much love to go through that manual. I’m looking around to see if any PDFs exist online.
Wonderful video Steve!
Wonderful channel!
Hi, I'm 17 and I have my PPL checkride next weekend. I'll be starting training in a Stearman very soon and I was wondering what camera mounts you use to get all those angles, I am currently using a Garmin VIRB Elite which is a little bulky. One day the goal is to be flying a P-51 as these planes are all part of an organization with the need for new pilots. Great video, this just makes me even more excited I currently have around an hour in a PT-17!
I know you've had some time with the aero shell team's AT-6s but I would highly suggest that you get some good training time on an AT-6 to make the training more authentic to that of a World War Two pilot. From what I understand Canada used the AT-6 as a fighter trainer as well as a bomber. Thank you for posting these videos I have greatly enjoyed watching your flying journey!
+Camera Bird The AT-6 / Harvard is absolutely on my list, but it is a significant step up from the Stearman in terms of complexity and unforgiving handling characteristics. There was a brief time when primary training as attempted in the AT-6 / Harvard..... it didn't go well for a lot of students... But I do look forward to tackling that beast! Then it is onto the Spitfire!
I wouldnt try an ILS approach in that thing but it looks fun or a lot of work to fly. Perhaps I am getting lazy and need some tail wheel time.......Nice video Steve
+Steve Camden For sure - get on that tail wheel! It keeps you sharp, that's for sure!
Quick comment, I'm on the other side of aviation, early 80s mechanic on DC-3s and Trislander in S Florida and then ramper for Piedmont, USAir and now American in Seattle. Lifelong Av-geek and just love your vids and Steveo's in FL. This is my porn.
11:40"we're not chasing the Nazis here". haha
+Harrison Batson strafing
Early Stearman video? must be christmas :D
4:30 on the taxiway - fish out of water!
+Creepy Productions lol, yeah
That's so cool. I hope to get tailwheel "differences training" one day; maybe combine it with some aerobatic lessons on our flight school's Super Decathlon. Some day.
Do you know what type the amphibious floatplane is in 4:31? It looks like a Murphy Moose, but it's hard to be sure.
+pinkdispatcher Not sure what the float plane was - I saw it enough to know it was there and avoid hitting it on take off :P
+FlightChops Hey, thanks for the reply. Good job avoiding it!
I'm pretty sure now it's a Moose. It's not a Beaver, and there aren't many others like it. There's a Moose here where I fly, still Canadian-registered: www.flickr.com/photos/pink_dispatcher/albums/72157647736495802
lol Dennis said "nothing sudden will happen in this airplane."
Can somebody confirm that the lower wing on a Stearman is 1 degree higher incidence than the top? That would be very unusual on a biplane with conventional forward stagger. The top wing stalling first would make the nose drop naturally, being further forward, which is desirable.
The way I explain flying a Stearman is simply, a little difficult to takeoff , a dream to fly , and a b#tch to land . When landing the number one mistake is TO FAST TO LAND ! Line it up , on short final put the trim to the 10 o’clock position keep the speed down to 65 get about 3or 4 feet over the runway and hold it off with no power and it will smoothly set down . If you come to NC I’ll take you flying in our Stearman.😁
When you touch down, the little voice in your head should be saying "stick back, back, back", then interrupted by the sound of a cat peeing on wet grass. (Maybe a little rumbling, if the ground''s rough.)
Did they train with the student in the front cockpit? That would produce a big C.G. change on the first solo.
+avro549B Thanks for that input. And yeah. I think only the first couple flights had the student up front, then they moved to the back for the rest of the pre solo training.
+FlightChops Did the ailerons start their trembling just before you touched down?
+avro549B I honestly don't remember, but I'd say probably not as I landed sooner than planed in more of a wheel landing attitude than a 3 point like I was aiming to. I hope to fly this plane a lot more before the end of this season so I will aim to get more comfortable with getting it stalled on touch down.
1:31 am I the only one that thought he would have flight chops? lol
+FlightChops
Would you come to the UK to fly a spitfire?
There is a school at my airfield dedicated to teaching people to fly them.
+ArunaArts ummm YES! You wouldn't happen to be talking about Boultbee Flight Academy would you? It is my life goal to get there and train on the Spitfire!
+FlightChops That is where I'm talking about! I'm learning next door to there and am friendly with a lot of the staff! Is it cool if I ask the director to look you up?
+ArunaArts Hell yes! It will save me "cold calling" them :) I'm not sure exactly how soon I will have the resources together to go there with my film crew to shoot the training; but if they'll allow it, that is my goal. I guess starting to talk with them sooner rather than later would be a good idea :)
I went today and did my 4th Solo. :) I’m learning
on the Super Cub, I had to call it a day though after 4 circuits, it got way to
bumpy for my liking, which was a little bit disappointing. The guy I need to
talk to wasn’t in today but I did have a long talk with the GM of the aerodrome,
about this and other things, and, although I really wouldn’t like to get your
hopes up, it does look like it could be a possibility. Could I have some
contact details? Phone number, email, etc?
My hopes are always up! :) please email me at flightchops at gmail dot com to discuss further.
Hi Steve, can you share with us the soft copy of World War II Flight Training Manual(Patter). I would be grateful to you if you do so.
I had a flight booked in an original Stearman painted in Airforce colors
( Seen here: www.omaka.org.nz/omaka-joyrides.htm )
Unfortunately the weather was too windy for the pilot so I couldn't get up there, major disappointment, it's a gorgeous aircraft and after seeing the series you're doing on it I was super hyped, oh well, maybe another day right?
Love the channel, keep it up (:
+Cinnabun Thanks!
"Burlington Unicom this is Oscar Xray Uniform radio check" "oscar xray uniform your 5 by 5"
Enjoyed watching, just a question or two and comment, weren't most of these WW1 Birds or were they also used in WW2? Is it true that they were used to fight Ace pilots like the Red Barron? The closest I have gotten to one of these is MS Flight there is a Stearman in it but I doubt the flight dynamics are anywhere near real, but still fun to fly virtually. Thanks
+Sim_8_3 - cool thanks! The Stearman is WWII era - this one was built in 1942
Can someone explain the reference to the "refrigerator effect?"
+Chris Serio You'll have to watch parts 1 and 2 of the Stearman series :) - links in the description; seriously, I am proud of those films... But the short answer is that the airplane turns info a refrigerator (something heavy and with out wings) when it get's too slow, and it simply sinks and falls out of the sky.
putting it down looks so easy. until you have to do it yourself, and end up clobbering one wheel at a time on touchdown
Where do you get your background music?
+Thomas McAdoo first and foremost, my friend Chris at bighonkinspaceship dot com - They composed the original Flight Chops theme, stinger and several other tracks for my stuff. After that, it if premiumbeat and pond5 for licensing tracks.
Amazing video Steve.. Hows the repair of CFFKO doing?
+westnoble 1020 Thanks! And the repair is under way! We just need to convince the owner to keep the plane in the fleet after it is fixed.
Hope that goes well.
“Everything happens at 60...”
How can he pay for all the airplanes?
+Timotheus Timster The cost of the airplanes is nothing compared to production expenses to create these videos. Thankfully crowd finding and sponsorships have helped a lot with offsetting those costs.
+FlightChops I figured. But actually I meant your mentor, where does he get all those cool airplanes from? :)
+Timotheus Timster Dennis built the Stearman over three years; so it is a lot of "sweat equity"... the rest of the planes are either school planes or private planes that we rent / borrow