53rd National Fly-in schedule

Click on any event to read more about it. Our schedule of events is under construction. Check back to see what's new! Accurate as of October 22, 2023.

  • 7:00a-11:00a
    Hog Capital of the World Days Fly-In Breakfast
    Length: 4 hours

    7:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.: Hosted by Kewanee Volunteer Fire Department. All-you-can-eat pancakes and sausage. Price TBD, kids under 5 free. Location: Kewanee Municipal Airport (EZI), Kewanee, IL.

  • 9:00a-9:30a
    Daily Pilot Briefing
    Length: 30 minutes

    9:00 a.m.: Galesburg Labor Day Parade fly-over briefing after daily briefing. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 10:00a-10:30a
    Galesburg Labor Day Parade fly-over
    Length: 30 minutes

    10:00 a.m.

  • 11:30a-12:00p
    Seminar: "Smoke System Installation”
    Length: 60 minutes

    11:30 a.m. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

    Ric Woldow
    Morton, IL
  • 3:00p-4:00p
    Seminar: "Stearman Q&A"
    Length: 60 minutes

    3:00 p.m. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

    Bob Swint
    Bob Swint
    Geneseo, IL
  • 5:30p
    Beverage Wagon Opens
    Length: 3 hours

    5:30 p.m. Location: Jet Air Hangar.

  • 6:00p-7:00p
    Welcome Picnic for Fly-In Participants
    Length: 60 minutes

    6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.: Welcome picnic for Stearman Fly-In Participants. Catered by Pizza Ranch, Galesburg, IL. Menu: Fried chicken, macaroni salad, and green beans– Sponsored by Yesteryear Aviation - Dave and Debbie Groh. Location: International Stearman Community Center

  • All Day
    Activities Continuing Throughout the Day
    Length: all day
    • PRATT ROW
    • 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.: National Stearman Fly-In Retail Store open. Location: Hangar 6, Galesburg Municipal Airport.
    • 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Narrated tram rides along Stearman flight line for general public (weather permitting). $1 per person.
    • Poker run. Sponsored by "Double Trouble". Submit cards to the Stearman Office by noon on Saturday.
    • Fun flying, buddy hops, hangar flying.
  • 9:00a-9:30a
    Daily Pilot Briefing
    Length: 15 minutes

    9:00 a.m. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 10:00a-11:00a
    Seminar: "Aviation Fuels by Brett Anderson"
    Length: 60 minutes

    10:00 a.m.

    Brett Anderson
  • 10:00a-5:00p
    Tri-County Airport (2C6) Open House
    Length: all day

    10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Location: at historic grass strip 19nm southeast of KGBG. Hosted by owners Dave and Cathy Shipley. Come get your photo taken with Elvis from 12pm-3pm. Lunch includes cold-cut sandwiches, side dishes and cookies provided for Stearman Fly-In participants.  For more Information, contact Dave at (309) 369-5343.

  • 11:00a-1:30p
    Market Alley Wines
    Length: 2 1/2 hours

    11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Location: Monmouth, IL. Shuttles will depart the Stearman Office at 11:00 a.m. for Monmouth, IL– return at approximately 1:30 p.m.Casual trip to the winery with tastings and wine flights. ($) Light appetizers will be provided. Additional details and reservation information available in the Stearman Office.

  • 2:00p-3:00p
    Seminar: Q&A with the Federal Air Surgeon
    Length: 60 minutes

    2:00 p.m.  Location: International Stearman Community Center.

    Dr. Susan E. Northrup
    Federal Air Surgeon of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration
  • Evening
    Dine Out in Galesburg
    Length: 2 hours

    Evening

  • All Day
    Activities Continuing Throughout the Day
    Length: all day
    • PRATT ROW
    • 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.: National Stearman Fly-In Retail Store open. Location: Hangar 6, Galesburg Municipal Airport.
    • 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Narrated tram rides along Stearman flight line for general public (weather permitting). $1 per person.
    • Poker run. Sponsored by "Double Trouble". Submit cards to the Stearman Office by noon on Saturday.
    • Fun flying, buddy hops, hangar flying.
  • 9:00a-9:30a
    Daily Pilot Briefing
    Length: 30 minutes

    9:00 a.m. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 9:30a-10:30a
    Seminar: “Springfield FAA FASST"
    Length: 60 minutes

    9:30 a.m. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

    Dave Groh
    Springfield Il FSDO, Mason, MI
  • 11:00a-1:00p
    Lunch-time Fly-out to Kewanee Municipal Airport (EZI)
    Length: 2 hours

    11:00 a.m. Sponsored by: The Kewanee Chamber of Commerce. Served by Eilers Catering, Kewanee. Menu: Butterfly pork chop sandwich, Kewanee’s Famous Potato Salad, broccoli salad, mixed fruit bowl, dessert, iced tea, lemonade. Price $10.00 Location: Kewanee, IL.

  • 4:00p-4:30p
    Pilot Briefing for Monmouth Fly-over
    Length: 30 minutes

    4:00 p.m. Pilot briefing for Monmouth Prime Beef Festival Parade fly-over. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 5:00p-5:30p
    Monmouth Prime Beef Festival Parade Fly-over
    Length: 30 minutes

    5:00 p.m.

  • 6:00p
    Beverage Wagon Opens
    Length: 3 hours

    6:00 p.m. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 6:30p-7:30p
    Pizza Party
    Length: 60 minutes

    6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.: Variety of dinner pizzas, salad bar and dessert pizzas  catered by Pizza Ranch, Galesburg. Tickets: $5 Sponsored by: The Stearman Restorers Association. Complimentary for the PIC of Stearmans flown to Galesburg. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 7:30p-7:45p
    Gone West
    Length: 15 minutes

    7:30 p.m. Recalling those in the Stearman community who passed during the last year. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 7:45p-8:45p
    Update from Federal Air Surgeon Dr. Susan E. Northrup
    Length: 60 minutes

    7:45 p.m. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

    Dr. Susan Northrup
    Federal Air Surgeon for the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration
  • All Day
    Activities Continuing Throughout the Day
    Length: all day
    • PRATT ROW
    • 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.: National Stearman Fly-In Retail Store open. Location: Hangar 6, Galesburg Municipal Airport.
    • 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Narrated tram rides along Stearman flight line for general public (weather permitting). $1 per person.
    • Poker run. Sponsored by "Double Trouble". Submit cards to the Stearman Office by noon on Saturday.
    • Fun flying, buddy hops, hangar flying.
  • 9:00a-9:30a
    Daily Pilot Briefing
    Length: 30 minutes

    9:00 a.m. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 10:00a-11:00a
    Seminar: George H.W. Bush & the Stearman
    Length: 60 minutes

    10:00 a.m. Before he became President of the United States, George H.W. Bush was a Naval Aviator during World War II. While much is known about his ill-fated mission in a TBM Avenger in the Pacific, his time spent training in a Stearman is much less well known! We will look at those surviving examples he is known to have flown, and welcome one of those historic aircraft to the Military Aviation Museum collection. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

    Question
    Keegan Chetwynd
    Director, Military Aviation Museum
  • Mid-Morning
    Fly-out to Gen-Air Park for Lunch
    Length: 2 hours

    Mid-morning Fly-out to Gen-Air Park, Geneseo, IL, for lunch. Menu TBD. Location: Geneseo, IL. ($)

  • 1:30p-2:00p
    Stearman Aerobatic Contest Briefing
    Length: 30 minutes

    1:30 p.m. Conducted by Bob Swint, Geneseo, Il. Sponsored by David Brown and Stearman Biplane Rides, LLC. Location: Gen-Air Park Pilot Lounge.

  • 2:00p-2:30p
    Stearman Aerobatic Contest
    Length: 30 minutes

    2:00 p.m. Sponsored by David Brown and Stearman Biplane Rides, LLC. Location: Gen-Air Park, Geneseo, IL.

  • 3:30p-4:30p
    Seminar: Choosing the Right Covering System for your Stearman
    Length: 60 minutes

    3:30 p.m. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

    Question
    Molly Dean
    Superflite
  • Evening
    Dine out in Galesburg
    Length: 2 hours

    Evening.

  • All Day
    Activities Continuing Throughout the Day
    Length: all day
    • PRATT ROW
    • 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.: National Stearman Fly-In Retail Store open. Location: Hangar 6, Galesburg Municipal Airport.
    • 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Narrated tram rides along Stearman flight line for general public (weather permitting). $1 per person.
    • Poker run. Sponsored by "Double Trouble". Submit cards to the Stearman Office by noon on Saturday.
    • Fun flying, buddy hops, hangar flying.
  • 9:00a-9:30a
    Daily Pilot Briefing
    Length: 30 minutes

    9:00 a.m. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 9:30a-10:30a
    Stearman Restorers Association Annual Meeting
    Length: 30 minutes

    9:30 a.m. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 10:00a-10:30a
    National Stearman Fly-in "Class of 2023" Group Photo
    Length: 30 minutes

    10:00 a.m. (time approximate) Location: to be determined depending on weather.

  • 10:30a-2:00p
    Picnic Fly-out to Wolford's Farm IL01
    Length: 3 1/2 hours

    10:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Lunch provided for Fly-In participants. Location: Abingdon, IL.

  • 2:30p
    Briefing for Short Field Take-off, Flour Bombing and Spot Landing Contests
    Length: 30 minutes

    Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 3:00p-3:30p
    Short Field Take-off, Flour Bombing and Spot Landing Contests
    Length: 30 minutes

    3:00 p.m. Short field take-off, flour bombing and spot landing contests. Sponsored by Robert Preston and Heritage Biplane, Ltd. Location: Galesburg Municipal Airport.

  • 6:00p
    Beverage Wagon Opens
    Length: 3 hours

    6:00 p.m. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 7:00p-8:00p
    Dinner
    Length: 60 minutes

    7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Dinner banquet catered by Smokin’ Willies, Galesburg, IL. Menu: Dinner catered by Gather Custom Events and Creations, Galesburg, IL. Menu: Sliced roast beef, sliced turkey, mac-n-cheese, cheesy potatoes, vegetable medley and tossed salad. Tickets $25. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 8:00p-10:00p
    British Flying Training School Presentation-Terrell, TX
    Length: 2 hours

    8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.  Location: International Stearman Community Center.

    Chris Henry
    Chris Henry
    EAA Aviation Museum Programs Coordinator
  • All Day
    Activities Continuing Throughout the Day
    Length: all day
    • PRATT ROW
    • 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.: National Stearman Fly-In Retail Store open. Location: Hangar 6, Galesburg Municipal Airport.
    • 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Narrated tram rides along Stearman flight line for general public (weather permitting). $1 per person.
    • Poker run. Sponsored by "Double Trouble". Submit cards to the Stearman Office by noon on Saturday.
    • Fun flying, buddy hops, hangar flying.
  • Sunrise
    Dawn Patrol
    Length: 30 minutes

    Sunrise. Flights launch for Macomb Airport (KMQB), Macomb, IL.

  • 7:00a-10:00a
    Dawn Patrol Flight Breakfast
    Length: 3 hours

    7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. sponsored by Macomb Municipal Airport/EAA Chapter 1667/Jerusalem United Methodist Church. Menu: Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, Biscuits and Gravy, Pancakes and Hash Browns.. $10

  • 10:00a-12:00p
    Children’s Activities
    Length: 2 hours

    10:00 a.m. - Noon  Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 1:30p
    Formation Flying Contest Briefing
    Length: 30 minutes

    1:30 p.m. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 2:00p
    Formation Flying Contest
    Length: 60 minutes

    2:00 p.m. Location: Galesburg Municipal Airport.

  • 6:00p
    Beverage Wagon Opens
    Length: 3 hours

    6:00 p.m. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 7:00p-8:00p
    National Stearman Fly-In Annual Banquet and Awards Presentations
    Length: 60 minutes

    7:00 p.m. Banquet served from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Dinner catered by Paton Block Grill and Brewpub, Monmouth, IL. Menu: Carved prime rib, parmesan crusted chicken, holiday potatoes, fruit salad, pasta salad, green beans, rolls and butter. Stearman cakes for dessert. $35 per person. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • 8:00p-9:00p
    Silent Auction
    Length: 60 minutes

    8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Official Stearman Fly-In Banners and memorabilia. Location: International Stearman Community Center.

  • All Day
    Activities Continuing Throughout the Day
    Length: all day
    • PRATT ROW
    • 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.: National Stearman Fly-In Retail Store open. Location: Hangar 6, Galesburg Municipal Airport.
    • 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Narrated tram rides along Stearman flight line for general public (weather permitting). $1 per person.
    • Poker run. Sponsored by "Double Trouble". Submit cards to the Stearman Office by noon on Saturday.
    • Fun flying, buddy hops, hangar flying.
  • 10:00p
    Fly-in Officially Ends
  • 7:00a-11:00a
    Fly-out Breakfast
    Length: 4 hours

    Noon Lion's Club Fly-out Breakfast. $10 per person.

Activities continuing throughout the day Monday-Saturday:
Fun flying, buddy hops, hangar flying, poker run
Food and Merchandise Vendors
Stearman Rides! (See below for full details)

STEARMAN BIPLANE RIDES

Try biplane aerobatics with David Brown!

This is the thrill ride for those more daring passengers who want to experience what it is like to zoom through the sky while diving and climbing, rolling and looping in the Stearman. Just like the aerial dog fights from WWI and WWII.

Reservations preferred but walk-ups also accepted in front of Jet Air, Inc. office.

call 540-219-3259 to schedule

Heritage Biplane, ltd.

Experience flight in an open cockpit biplane with Robert Preston!

Come Fly With Us, in our World War Two era, 1941 Boeing Stearman.  Treat yourself to a once in a life time opportunity, take to the air and experience the thrills of an open cockpit biplane.

Reservations preferred but walk-ups also accepted in front of Jet Air, Inc. office.

Call 330-328-4527 to schedule