August 25, 2011
The Stearman Flight clinic "Stearmans over Pioneer" held at EAA Pioneer Airport was a wonderful and memorable event. 9 Stearmans and 18 pilots participated. Weather was near perfect for the duration and it has been agreed to hold the event again next year during the Labor Day weekend just prior to Galesburg's National Stearman Flyin. Photos coming to the Photo Gallery soon.
Congratulations to:
Chuck Marshal for achieving 4 ship lead F.A.S.T. card
Rick Lutes for achieving wingman F.A.S.T. card
February 24, 2011
Announcing an interesting and fun Stearman formation clinic to be held at EAA's Pioneer Airport Thursday August 25 through Sunday August 28 2011. Clinic participants will stay in the Lodge on Pioneer Airport and enjoy flying from the front lawn on 2100 X 150 grass runway. We have some interesting activities planned as EAA will be providing some "behind-the-scenes" experiences for clinic attendees that will be fun and interesting and sure to expand your aviation horizon.
During the clinic you will have the opportunity to learn the procedures for flying in the Airventure Warbirds Flying during the Oshkosh airshow by doing a special "mission" as part of the clinic.
Contact Carey Hardin, Clinic Chairman, to reserve your slot for this one-of-a-kind Stearman experience.
February 18, 2011
Stearman Flight held its first stand-alone break-out session at NWOC (National Warbird Operators Conference) this year in Pensacola, FL February 18-21, indicative of the growing prominence of the Stearman aircraft in our warbird community. Over 230 attendees enjoyed comprehensive sessions on topics ranging from Insurance, maintenance, airshows to regulatory issues from industry experts.
Dennis Pratte, the new FAA FS800 Deputy Director, and Dave Keen of FAA AFS300 attended and contributed strongly by participating in the expert panel for regulatory and legislative affairs. Congrssman Sam Graves of Missouri, a strong GA advocate, also attended.
If you have never been to NWOC, you should consider putting this on your "bucket list" as it is an excellent aviation experience.
Rick Siegried, EAA's Director Warbirds of America, delivers an outstanding program.
Stearman Flight attendees included John Lohmar, John Ockenfels, Bill Austin, David Burroughs, Tonya Hodson, Pam Held, Carey Hardin and Rod Hightower.
The Saturday evening program was a grand experience as attendees dined among the many aircraft at the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, including a "behind the scenes" tour of the restoration facility.
January 15, 2011
Calling all Stearman's in the Midwest!
You are invited to join in the fun during this year's 25th anniversary of the Quad Cities Airshow June 18-19. Topper has requested that we have 25 Stearmans open the show in a large formation led by none other than legendary Stearman pilot John Mohr. Topper has been very generous with his offer for the first 25 pilot to register with him as the official opening act of the big show. It's a GREAT airshow, and one you are sure to include in your favorite's of "must-do's".
Contact Topper at the link below:
http://www.quadcityairshow.com/2011/index.html
July 26, 2010
ROD HIGHTOWER
President/CEO, Experimental Aircraft Association
Born: October 23, 1959
B.S., Aviation Technology – Central Missouri State University
Married: wife, Maura; five children
Home: St. Louis, Mo.
Rod Hightower was named EAA’s third president on July 26, 2010, and assumed that role on Sept. 7, 2010. His career spans more than 25 years of business management and senior leadership positions for Fortune 500 manufacturing and industrial companies, and most recently as the CEO of private equity owned portfolio of businesses in the Public Safety and Law Enforcement sectors He has led both U.S. and international operations with as many as 3,200 employees and annual revenues of $470 million, and has led the sales organization for divisions as large as $900 million.
Along with his business expertise, however, Hightower is a passionate aviation enthusiast. He has been an EAA member for more than 20 years, an active pilot for 31 years, and restored his own Stearman biplane that he flies out of Creve Coeur Airport near St. Louis. Hightower is also active as a director of the National Stearman Foundation, a volunteer role focused on fundraising and organizing the annual week-long National Stearman Fly-In. His Stearman involvement expanded in 2009 as Rod is a founding member of Stearman Flight, a F.A.S.T. signatory organization dedicated to Standardized formation training in the Stearman aircraft. During Rod's time in London, his Stearman was based at North Weald and the family enjoyed flying to many aviation events across the UK.
Hightower grew up in modest circumstances, as his father was a welder with the Ford Motor Company. In order to learn to fly and pay his way through college, Rod started a business when he was 15 years old and kept it operating during his college years before selling it in 1984, two years after his graduation from Central Missouri State University.
Hightower began his career as a sales engineer with two smaller companies engaged in industrial automation and process control before joining Square D Corporation in 1990. Rising quickly through sales & channel management leadership positions, Rod was promoted to Vice President in 1996. After rising to lead sales and marketing across several of Square D’s business units, he joined York Corporation as vice president of North American sales and service for its engineered systems group. He later led a turnaround of York’s Europe, Middle East and Africa air conditioning business as general manager responsible for a $470 million global P & L.
After returning to the United States, Hightower became CEO at Public Safety Equipment, a supplier of emergency lighting, radar and video systems used in law enforcement and military applications. He held that position until late 2008, and remains an equity owner in the company.
To interview Rod Hightower, contact: Dick Knapinski, EAA Media Relations (920-426-6523 or dknapinski@eaa.org)
8/2010
June, 2010
The new Hold Harmless Agreement for Stearman Flight Members is now available for downloading. It's located on the "SF Forms Library" page of the Stearman Flight Website.
M May 30, 2010
Tuskegee Airman Col. Charles McGee flies the Stearman again.
It all started quietly enough with an early morning flight scheduled before the airshow pilots, volunteers, veterans and fans arrived during the Salute to Veterans Memorial Day celebration and airshow in Columbia, Missour. You see, Charles McGee learned to fly in the Stearman in January 1943 and has always held this as one of his favorite aviation experiences. So when he shared this thought with us during Columbia, we naturally extended the invitation for fly the Stearman, which happened to be on static display, and even painted in the same Army Air Corps markings as his "first" Stearman was. My son and I arrived very early to have the Stearman looking parade ready for Col. McGee 7:00 a.m. flight. Good thing, because McGee was 15 minutes early and ready to fly. And fly we did, for more than an hour. How did the 91 year old fighter pilot fly you may ask? Well, let's just say that it was extraordinary. Altitude never varied more than -20 and +40 feet for selected altitudes, he was the smoothest pilot I've ever had in that airplane, and I never touched the controls after start up until the airplane was back in the chocks on the static ramp. And we were flying off pavement. Extraordinary.
January 2010
Dear Stearman Flight member:
Just a note to advise you that as of January 1, 2010 your Stearman Flight membership has lapsed. If you intend to renew your membership for 2010 now is the time to do so. After three months (April 1st) your name will be dropped from the roster on the assumption that you no longer wish to participate. If you're a charter member you'll permanently lose you charter member status after April 1st. Stearman Flight does not send out invoices for dues at the end of the year so this second reminder is the last notice you'll receive. if you wish to renew please send your your dues payment in at your earliest convenience. If you're a FAST rated member you'll need to renew your membership in order to be issued your 2010 FAST card and maintain your rated status. The FAA will not recognize a prior year's FAST card.
Send your renewal check payable to Stearman Flight (For FAST carded pilots you must also send in a signed 2009 currency report) to:
Treasurer, Stearman Flight
C/O Tonya Hodson
224 Tanglewood
Marion, KS 66861
For those who renew there will be an updated issue of the Stearman Flight manual sent to you sometime in mid- to late-spring so make sure Stearman Flight has your correct mailing address. If you have a change of address please send it in along with your renewal check.
November 2009
Congratulations to Mark Haag and John Cyrier for earning their 2-ship wingman FAST cards during the Houston formation clinic!
October 6, 2009
Hollister Clinic presented good weather and much flying. With 5 attendees working toward Formation Proficiency and F.A.S.T. cards, 21 sorties were launched and much progress was made.
Attendees:
Ernie Persich - working on 4-ship lead
Andreas Hotea - working on 2-ship lead
Jeff Sunzeri - working on 2-ship wing
Gary Oberti - working on 2-ship wing
John Heintz - working on 2-ship wing
October 5, 2009
The Creve Coeur clinic was a success, though with smaller attendance due weather in the Midwest. Congratulations Les Heikkila and Rod Hightower for earning the 2 Ship Lead F.A.S.T. cards! Doug Watanable is working on his 2 ship Lead card, and making great progress.
September 12, 2009
Congratulations to the following Stearman Flight members for their achievements at the National Stearman Flyin in Galesburg:
John Hodgson - 2nd Place Formation Flying team, Participant Aerobatic Contest, Winner Longest Distance Travelled (tired butt award)
Chuck Marshall - 1st Place Formation Flying team "Scorpion"
2nd Place Formation Flying team "Square One"
David Burroughs - Flight Lead
Rod Hightower - 2
John Hodgson - 3
Carey Hardin - 4
3rd Place Formation Flying team "Cactus Flight"
Mike Nebrig - Flight Lead
John Ockenfels - 2
Tonya Hodson - 3
Bill Austin - 4
The 2009 NSFI enjoyed very good weather the entire week and registered 102 Stearman aircraft. Many thanks to the NSFI Board of Directors, and many volunteers, for achieving another great NSFI that was well organized, safe, and fun for all.
The Basic Formation Flying seminar was well attended with 42 people "under the tent" enjoying a great dialogue related to formation flying. Stearman Flight received 6 new members at the conclusion of the seminar, and look forward to seeing them at a formation clinic soon. Welcome new Stearman Flight members!
September 11, 2009
Embracing the challenge
Kansas woman among growing number of female Stearman pilots
KENT KRIEGSHAUSER/The Register-Mail
Tonya Hodson, a Stearman pilot from Marion, Kan., does a pre-flight inspection to the plane she was flying Friday afternoon during the annual Stearman Fly-In.
By JOHN R. PULLIAM
The Register-Mail
Posted Sep 11, 2009 @ 09:38 PM
Last update Sep 12, 2009 @ 08:47 AM
GALESBURG —
Tonya Hodson, 41, has been a pilot more than half her life. The Marion, Kan., woman lives just northeast of Wichita, where Lloyd Stearman built his first biplanes and where Boeing still has a factory. Stearman’s firm merged with Boeing.
Women flying the old World War II trainers is becoming more routine.
Standing by her blue and yellow PT-17 Navy Stearman, Hodson smiled when asked if it’s unusual to run into other female Stearman pilots.
“It’s changing,” she said. “The reason for my smile is I was asked to participate with other women Stearman pilots to give a talk to the Girl Scouts,” Hodson said. She and Jeanne Reed, another pilot of the classic biplanes “discovered there are 12 female pilots here,” Hodson said. That’s 12 of the 105 Stearmans at Galesburg Municipal Airport just before noon Friday.
“I was thrilled,” Hodson said. She said the female pilots gathered e-mail addresses and phone numbers and plan to stay in touch.
Hodson has been a pilot since she was 20; the 38th Annual National Stearman Fly-In is near the anniversary of her first Stearman flight.
“Ten years ago last week,” she said of her Stearman experience. “I soloed 10 years ago last week.”
Hodson arrived at this year’s fly-in Sept. 5 and plans to fly home Sunday. She attended her first National Stearman Fly-In in 1997.
“This is my 13th year,” she said. “It’s hard to believe it’s been that long. I haven’t missed one (since) and I don’t plan to.”
Hodson said she enjoys seeing friends she comes into contact with only once a year.
Don’t think of female pilots as somehow being dainty. When Hodson was 20 and still married, she, her husband, and another couple wanted to learn to fly. They went together and bought a Piper.
“As my interest grew, I learned about antique planes, Stearmans particularly, mostly because it’s such a challenging airplane,” Hodson said.
As Stearmans took off, landed and flew in the powder-blue sky, Galesburg Municipal — for the only time each year — was likely the busiest downstate airport. Hodson said the planes are challenging because “it’s a high center of gravity with a 500-pound engine and a narrow wheel base. It’s challenging on landing and take-offs,” especially when there is a cross-wind.
Hodson said when she decided to learn formation flying, her feeling was “I need to take this a step further. That’s when I finally committed to take the challenge of formation flying.”
She is part of a group called Stearman Flight.
“We put on formation clinics throughout the summer,” she said. “Students can work from two-ship wing and two-ship lead, or four-ship wing and four-ship lead. I flew my very first four-ship lead yesterday (Thursday.)
Exactly what does that mean?
“The lead is in front, two joins on the inside of the turn, three joins where two isn’t and four joins on three’s wings,” Hodson said, as though explaining how to turn the key in the ignition of a car. Flying lead in the four-ship lead Stearman formation is a lot of responsibility.
“Flying formation, the people you are flying with — how do you say this — you have to put complete trust in the members of your formation team. What we’re doing could get you killed. It’s fun, but it’s a serious business.”
Looking for another challenge. Hodson is becoming interested in aerobatics.
“That’s the next thing I want to do,” she said. “But, as you can imagine, it’s an expensive hobby and there’s just so many hours in the day.”
Hodson has a son in college and another in high school. Always up for a challenge, she said when her high school son graduates, “I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my life.”
It seems to be a mission — to challenge herself and others, as well.
“As far as young people are concerned, there’s no limit to what you can do. Be the best at what your passion is,” she said. “People my age and older, don’t wait until retirement to enjoy something. You don’t know if you’ll have the health or the money.”
Words to live by, and Hodson has spent 21 years doing exactly that.
jpulliam@register-mail.com
August 25, 2009
Stearman Flight will be conducting a Basic Formation Flying seminar at the National Stearman Flyin on Thursday September 10, 2009. The seminar starts at 9:30 a.m. in the Seminar tent.
All Stearman pilots are welcome, and we hope you will join us to learn how to:
- make formation flying safe and fun!
- gain standardized Stearman formation training
- earn F.A.S.T. authorization
August 2009 
David Burroughs accepts new V.P. role with F.A.S.T. (Formation and Safety Team)
David is a member of Stearman Flight Board of Directors, a Stearman Flight check pilot, as well as one (of our two) F.A.S.T. representatives. During his 2 year appointment, David will be be active on the Waiver committee and will Chair 3 priorities:
1. 1. Reduce liability exposure for signatories, check pilots, instructors & pilots
2. Clarify the relationship & positioning of FAST with the FAA
3. Improve the communication from board level to the signatory pilots
David has stated that his goal is to make significant progress on the three priorities and to groom talent from the FAST community in preparation for them to assume National FAST leadership roles during the next two years.
Congratulations David, and best wishes for a productive and successful tenure with F.A.S.T.!
August 2009
The San Marcos Texas clinic in August was a H.O.T. hot success. With 9 pilots and 6 instructors the training was personal, professional and resulted in significant formation skill & safety improvement of the attending pilots.
May 2009
The May Stearman Flight Formation Clinic at Creve Coeur, MO was a great success and much fun had by all. Congratulations to the following Stearman Pilots who earned, or upgraded, FAST cards during the clinic:
2-Ship Wing 2-Ship Lead 4-Ship Wing
David Anderson Rod Hoctor Carey Hardin
Les Heikkila Tonya Hodson Rod Hoctor
Rod Hightower Chuck Marshall Tonya Hodson
Ralph Lutes Chuck Marshall
Our Prez has a new ride!
t That's John O. in the front with John Lohmar doing the check out from the back.
| Tom Lowe Is Named to Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame | |
|---|
 Thomas E. Lowe
Lowe flew for United Airlines for 33 years, retiring in 2001 as a B-747-400 Captain.
Lowe also flew part time as a corporate pilot for Miller Manufacturing and Northern Illinois Air Charter. After retirement from United he worked for Emery Air Charter in Rockford, Illinois.
Lowe and his friend Jim Leahy (now deceased) of Galesburg co-founded the Stearman Fly-In which started in 1972. It was so successful it has continued to this day and next September will mark its 35th anniversary. The first Fly-In attracted 19 aircraft and now regularly draws 120 to 149 Stearman's each year from throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. The national Stearman Fly-In is a major annual event in Galesburg and as such, is a significant financial contributor to the economies of Galesburg and surrounding communities. The first ten years Lowe and Leahy organized, advertised, conducted and financed the event themselves and with the assistance of a small group of enthusiasts in Galesburg. During those years the Fly-In was financed in part with the proceeds from a public air show held on the weekend. When there was a financial shortfall, every year, Lowe and Leahy personally covered the deficit. After ten years, the Stearman Fly-In became a non-profit organization with a Board of Directors. Lowe has served on their Board since its inception and also variously as Executive Vice-President and Vice-President. He has declined to serve as President, believing that position should be held by a Galesburg resident. During Fly-In week Lowe is Director of Flight Operations and is responsible for all flight activities. Lowe is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Stearmen Foundation, parent organization of the Fly-In. The Foundation, a 501(c) (3) not for profit corporation, is planning for a Stearman Museum to be located in Galesburg. Lowe also assumed the presidency of the Stearman Restorers Association in 1972. and today it numbers more than 1500 members from all over the world. Lowe also serves as one of four Directors of the AAA in the USA. He is also a Flight Instructor, specializing in tail wheel aircraft, especially in antique, classic and warbirds. He has flown 88 different Stearman aircraft and is one of the most experienced Stearman instructors in the USA. He owns two Stearman biplanes which he and his wife restored. Lowe has authored numerous articles on aviation history and technical information which have been published throughout the USA.
He served in Vietnam in combat operations with the 481st Tactical Fighter Squadron in 1965. He separated from the Air Force with the rank of Captain. |
April 20 - Saint Louis, MO - Fighting Pirates
The Stearman Community has a new celebrity among us in Andrew Lohmar. Andrew is a pilot for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) program that is supporting the U.S. Navy. When the call came from the Maersk Alabama for help in rescuing Captain Phillips from Somali pirates, Andrew and his program team were aboard the Navy ship that responded.
Working round the clock to locate and provide streaming video of the lifeboat vessel allowed Navy commanders to develop and execute the plan that ultimately lead to Captain Phillips freedom. Andrew played a key role in this successful outcome. Not only did this free Captain Phillips, but it also yielded favorable impressions of the Navy and was a strong International political win for President Obama and our country.
Andrew is the Son of John & Marge Lohmar of Saint Charles, MO. John Lohmar, born in Galesburg, IL, is well known in the Stearman & Warbird community as former President of the National Stearman Foundation, long-time Stearman Restorers Association member, CAF Colonel and American Airline Captain.
Andrew has practically grown up flying Stearman airplanes, and was even the youngest pilot to solo a Stearman to Galesburg for the National Stearman Flyin. Andrew is a graduate of Saint Louis University, and SLUH Saint Louis University High School.
Congratulations to Andrew for a job well done!
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