Stearman Flight Formation Clinic Held at Creve Coeur Airport

By Leo Cachat

Last Saturday was a busy day for The Aero Experience.  While Carmelo Turdo was at Air Associates of Missouri covering Cessna Demo Day, Fred Harl and I were covering the Bonne Terre Community Airport ribbon cutting ceremony.  After each event we converged upon Creve Coeur Airport as we received information that there was going to be a clinic on formation flying in the classic Stearman biplane. Of the 12 Stearman that were expected, 5 were unable to make it due to unfavorable weather earlier in the week.  The remaining 7 Stearman were there and took part in the clinic, with one coming from Bloomington, IL and another from Kansas. All the pilots were very friendly and approachable, and despite some windy conditions, they showed great skill while flying their respected formations. The big radial engines roared into the sky and the colors of the beautiful airplanes filled the broken clouds and later the cloudless deep blue sky. What a great way to end a great aviation-filled Saturday. We were told they would be having another clinic in September, so look for more great coverage you'll only find here at The Aero Experience. Enjoy, as we take you back in time with some great old planes.