National Stearman Fly-In

National Stearman Fly-In
GenreAir show
DatesSeptember
FrequencyAnnually
VenueHarrel W. Timmons Galesburg Regional Airport
LocationGalesburg, Illinois
Coordinates40°56′17″N 90°25′52″W / 40.938056°N 90.431111°W / 40.938056; -90.431111
CountryUnited States
Established1972; 54 years ago (1972)
Founders
  • Jim Leahy
  • Tom Lowe
Organized byNational Stearman Foundation
Websitewww.stearmanflyin.com

The National Stearman Fly-In is an annual gathering of Stearman Kaydet airplanes at the Harrel W. Timmons Galesburg Regional Airport in Galesburg, Illinois.

History

The fly-in was established in 1972, when Tom Lowe and Jim Leahy sent out 2,000 letters in an attempt to invite as many Stearmans as possible for a gathering at the airport. In the end, only 24 attended. However, a decade later the number present had grown to approximately 70.

Jim Leahy died in June 1995.

The National Stearman Foundation was established in 1998 to support the fly-in and build a permanent museum.

The 2009 fly-in featured the opportunity for visitors to pilot a Stearman themselves for the first time.

The goal of the National Stearman Foundation was achieved on the 50th anniversary of the event in 2021, when a structurally complete, but internally unfinished 10,000-square-foot (930 m2) hangar called the International Stearman Community Center was due to be dedicated. The same year had a record 152 Stearmans participate.

It was announced that during the 2025 event, the airport was to be named for Harrel W. Timmons, the founder of the fixed-base operator at the airport and a member of the National Stearman Foundation board of directors.

Events

Events include owners seminars, an awards show, a STOL competition and a flour bombing contest. Rides are also offered to the public.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Morrissey, Joe (9 September 1972). "First National Stearman Fly-In Here Next Weekend". Galesburg Register-Mail. p. 14. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  2. ↑ Campbell, William (16 September 1972). "Stearman Lacks Modern Comforts, But Flying in It is Real Adventure". Galesburg Register-Mail. p. 2. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  3. ↑ Campbell, William (18 September 1972). "Sponsors Happy with Turnout of Stearmans". Galesburg Register-Mail. p. 3. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  4. ↑ Harrison, Robert F. (12 September 1981). "Attention-Attracting Stearmans Fun to Fly – Lowe". The Register-Mail. p. A-1. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  5. ↑ "Fly-In Co-Founder Leahy Dead". The Register-Mail. 21 July 1995. pp. A-1, A-10. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  6. ↑ Lohmar, John S. (6 September 1998). "Charting a Course for Future Fly-Ins". The Register-Mail. pp. E-2 – E-3. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  7. 1 2 Timmons, Eric (3 September 2009). "Fly a Stearman? You Bet You Can!". The Register-Mail. pp. B1–B2. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  8. ↑ Carlson, Jane (1 August 2021). "Progress Made on Stearman Fly-In Home". The Register-Mail. pp. 1A, 3A. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  9. ↑ Lisec, Samuel (4 September 2022). "51st Annual Stearman Fly-In". The Register-Mail. p. 2A. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  10. ↑ "Stearman Biplanes Back for Week-Long Celebration". The Register-Mail. 5 September 2021. pp. 1A–2A. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  11. ↑ Davis, Steve (14 September 2021). "Fly-In Sees Record Turnout". The Register-Mail. p. 1A. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  12. ↑ Doxsee, Alec (3 September 2025). "Galesburg Airport to Be Named After Aviation Leader Harrel W. Timmons". WQAD. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  13. ↑ "31st National Stearman Fly-In Awards". The Register-Mail. 9 September 2002. p. A-5. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  14. ↑ "Pilots Share Joys, Challenges of Flight". The Register-Mail. 28 August 2014. pp. C1, C3. Retrieved 28 May 2026.

Further reading