pilot briefing room

Everything you need to know to be a part of the biggest Stearman event of the year! Click on each topic to learn more.

FLIGHT OPS

Galesburg Airport Information

Accurate as of April 17, 2023

Airport Identifier:
KGBG (Galesburg Municipal Airport)

Location:
1.5 miles west of city

Elevation:
764 feet

Paved Runways:
03-21, 5,792 x 150 feet, lighted; 10-28, 3,600 x 100 feet, lighted

Grass Runway:
03R-21L, north of 10-28, 10R-28L south of 10-28, east of 03-21

Landing Pattern:
Left, 500 feet recommended for Stearmans

Unicom:
123.0; ATC Clearance Delivery: 120.7

Automatic Weather Observation Service (AWOS):
continuous on 118.975 or call 309-343-3711

Fixed Base Operator:
Jet Air, Inc., 309-342-3134

Aircraft Traffic Patterns & Parking

Accurate as of August 26, 2022

Galesburg Municipal Airport provides an ample grass parking area for Stearman aircraft on the northwest corner of the field. Parking spots are claimed on a first-come-first-served basis.

Only parking rows 1-8 have tie-down cables. Fly-In participants should bring their own tie-down ropes and stakes to assure planes are adequately secured.

Upon arrival, pilots will be given a cloth ribbon to affix to their airplane’s left N-strut. This helps parking personnel identify new arrivals.

To download a .pdf file of landing, take-off and parking procedures, click HERE.

Flyout and Parade Information

Accurate as of August 17, 2023

To download a PDF file on the Monday, Sept. 4, Labor Day Parade flyover, click HERE.

To download a PDF file on the Tuesday, Sept. 5, Tri-Country fly-out, click HERE.

To download a PDF file on the Wednesday, Sept. 6, lunch flyout to Kewanee, IL, click HERE.

To download a PDF file on the Wednesday, Sept. 6, Monmouth Prime Beef Festival Parade flyover, click HERE.

To download a PDF file on the Thursday, Sept. 7, lunch flyout to Geneseo, IL, click HERE.

To download a PDF file on the Friday, Sept. 8, Picnic flyout , click HERE.

To download a PDF file on the Saturday, Sept. 9, Dawn Patrol to Macomb, IL, click HERE.

Registration, Fees

Accurate as of April 17, 2023

Registration:
Pilots and visitors may pre-register in advance online (until August 25, 2023), and also at the National Stearman Fly-In office at Galesburg Municipal Airport beginning on Monday, September 4th at 8:00 a.m.Information packets will be distributed to the pilot-in-command of each Stearman aircraft at registration. Bring your Tiedowns!

Flight line badges:
All persons must have a flight line badge to enter the restricted tie-down area. No charge for Stearman pilots, owners, Stearman Restorers Association members, their families, and those in their parties. Other qualified persons (details available at the National Stearman Fly-In office) will also be issued flight line badges and information packets.

Fees, Charges:
The National Stearman Fly-In does not charge a registration fee. Most activities are open to registered participants and to the general public. Charges, if any, are detailed on the Fly-In’s schedule of events. Tickets for Friday and Saturday night dinners in the International Stearman Community Center must be purchased in advance at Fly-In headquarters at Galesburg Municipal Airport.

Directions to Fly-in

  • Cedar Rapids, IA
  • Chicago, IL
  • Des Moines, IA
  • Dubuque, IA
  • Milwaukee, WI
  • Moline, IL
  • Peoria, IL
  • Springfield, IL
  • St. Louis, MO
  • 137 Miles
  • 195 Miles
  • 220 Miles
  • 124 Miles
  • 239 MIles
  • 49 Miles
  • 48 Miles
  • 119 Miles
  • 215 Miles

CONTESTS

Short Field Take-Off Contest

The Stearman will line up on the runway with the main wheels on the line for start as directed by the Line Judge. Then waitfor the Line Judge to give you the green flag before starting your take-off. Distance will be measured to the point where the main wheels leave the ground and the aircraft remains fully airborne.

After take-off climb to the designated altitude and establish the traffic pattern designated for the Flour Bombing Contest.

Flour Bombing Contest

The Stearman shall level off at NO LESS THAN 100 feet AGL for his/her bombing run to the target located in the grass alongside the run. After completing the bombing run, climb and establish the designated traffic pattern in preparation for making the accuracy landing on the grass runway 03/21.

Scoring will be measured from the center of the target to the point of impact of the flour bomb.

Accuracy Landing Contest

The point of intended landing will be a white line marked across grass runway 03/21 adjacent to paved runway 03/21. The line will be marked approximately 300 feet from the approach end of each runway. The purpose is to land as close to the white line as possible. The landing will be three-point and must be past the line to be scored. Landing short of the line indicates that you did not make it to the runway and are now picking cornstalks out of your teeth!

The distance for scoring will be measured from the line to the point where the tailwheel was firmly on the ground. Wheel landings will not be scored.

The pilot should reduce power on the downwind leg adjacent to the white line. The approach will be power-off as much as conditions and safety considerations will permit.

NO LONG DRAWN OUT POWER APPROACHES

The judges will have a flag for wave-offs and a radio on frequency 123.0 to warn the pilot of possible traffic conflicts.

All contest Stearmans equipped with radios shall monitor 123.0 during the contest.

Four-Ship Formation Flying Contest

The four-ship Stearman Formation Flying Contest will consist of (4) Stearman airplanes. The formations should overfly the airport and each group will be judged only as it passes overhead the designated judging area. Altitude should be at approximately 500 ft. AGL. Inaddition to the designated formations the Take-Off, Join Up, a formation selected by each individual team and the "Break" for landing will be judged. Please reference the Formation Contest Briefing Sheet. 

Formation Contest Briefing Sheet

South Operation

North Operation

The Stearman pilot will taxi south on the paved runway 03/21 parallel taxi-way until intersecting the parallel taxi-way for paved runway 10/28. The pilot will present his contest paperwork to the departure coordinator. The pilot will take-off from the designated spot at that intersection upon receiving the green flag from the take-off director. If the airplane is radio equipped, please announce your take-off and N number on Unicom frequency 123.0.

After take-off the pilot shall fly a normal left-hand traffic pattern at normal pattern altitude for paved runway 03. On base leg the pilot shall descend and level off at NO LESS THAN 100 feet AGL and align himself with the target located in the grass island alongside paved runway 03 (see diagram). After completing the flour bombing run the pilot shall climb out straight ahead to normal pattern altitude. After passing the north end of the airport the pilot should enter a RIGHT­HAND traffic pattern for landing on GRASS runway 03.

North Operation Flight Pattern

Taxi-Takeoff North Operation

Aerobatic Contest

The contest briefing will be in the pilots lounge at 1:30pm. Pilots will need to fill out and complete a contestant registration form which will be available at the Stearman office throughout the week as well as at the briefing.

All maneuvers are to be conducted above 1500 ft. AGL. Altimeters shall be zeroes prior to take-off. The contestant chooses five maneuvers to be performed and lists them on the entry form in the order they will be performed. Each Maneuver is judged individually and does not be strung together air show style. Maneuvers strung together gain no extra points, so use the opportunity to do your best on each maneuver and gain back altitude when needed. Maneuvers linked together will be judged separately, e.g. a snap roll followed by a split-S is two maneuvers, so plan accordingly.

Additional rules and the box diagram can be found in the attachment downloaded here.

GROUND SUPPORT

Local Transportation

Accurate as of April 1, 2022

Shuttle vans:
The National Stearman Fly-In provides free shuttle service between Galesburg Municipal Airport and Galesburg hotels. To arrange transportation call (309) 343-6409 during daylight hours of the fly-in.

Taxi:
United American Cab at (309) 341-6161.

Lodging and Camping

Accurate as of March 27, 2024

Hotels offering special Stearman Fly-In rates have reserved blocks of rooms. Reservations must be made by August 1, 2023, for the Fly-In rate.

The National Stearman Fly-In provides free shuttle service between Galesburg hotels and Galesburg Municipal Airport. Call Fly-In headquarters at 309-343-6409 during daylight hours to arrange rides.

Click here for a list of area hotels, motels, camping and bed and breakfast accommodations.

Galesburg Dining

Galesburg has more than 50 restaurants featuring a variety of foods sure to please Fly-In visitors. For information, inquire at the National Stearman Fly-In office or check the restaurant listing on the Galesburg Area Convention and Visitors Bureau web site.

Rental Cars

Accurate as of August 17, 2022

Enterprise Rent-A-Car
165 South Seminary Street
Galesburg, IL 61401
309-341-1000

Contact the Fly-in

Accurate as of April 1, 2022

E-mail:
[email protected]

Telephone:
(309) 343-6409
The National Stearman Fly-In’s office at Galesburg Municipal Airport is manned in daylight hours during Fly-In week; leave message on answering machine at other times.

Mailing addresses:
National Stearman Fly-In NFP Inc.
P.O. Box 1937
Galesburg, IL 61402-1937

OR

National Stearman Fly-In NFP Inc.
307 Lloyd Stearman Drive
Galesburg, IL 61401

ITEMS OF INTEREST

Schedule of Events

Accurate as of August 17, 2023

Visit the Schedule page here for an update full list of events.

Download a printable PDF of the schedule here.

Award Categories 2023

Accurate as of April 1, 2023

National Stearman Fly-In Awards Information
The National Stearman Fly-In will present the following aircraft awards at the 52nd National Stearman Fly-In Sept. 4-9, 2023.

  • Early Bird (first arrival)
  • Longest Cross-country
  • Youngest Stearman Pilot
  • Most Vintage Stearman Pilot (oldest)
  • Aerobatic Contest
  • Rescue Drop (flour bombing)
  • Short Field Take-off (stock, 275-300HP, and 450HP categories
  • Accuracy Landing
  • Four-Ship Formation Contest
  • "Made It Happen" Award
  • Newest Restoration
  • Hard Luck Award
  • Stearman Most in Need of Restoration
  • Kaydet Award (for excellence in restoration of Army Stearmans)
  • Yellow Peril Award (for excellence in restoration of Navy Stearmans)
  • Best Civilian (for excellence in restoration of civilian Stearmans)
  • Best Custom (for creativity and workmanship on custom Stearmans)
  • Best Military Custom (for creativity and workmanship on military custom Stearmans)
  • The Lloyd Stearman Award: Presented to a Stearman documented to be of significant importance in the Stearman Aircraft Company's history, or one that has been restored to replicate or preserve the historic accuracy of a civilian or military Stearman.

All Stearman aircraft attending the Fly-in will be judged.

Judging will be conducted throughout the entire Fly-in week.

2024 Registered Stearmans and Awards/Contest Results

Accurate as of September 10, 2024

National Stearman Fly-In 2023 Award winners can be found here.
‍National Stearman Fly-In 2023 Registered Stearman list can be found here.

National Stearman Fly-In 2024 Contest Results can be found here.

The National Stearman Foundation

Accurate as of August 17, 2023

Click here to learn more about the National Stearman Foundation.