Soaring Through Time: The 54th National Stearman Fly-In Returns to Galesburg
By - The Forgottonia Times™ Report
This September, the skies above Galesburg will once again hum with history as the 54th Annual National Stearman Fly-In returns to the Harrel W. Timmons Galesburg Regional Airport from September 1st–6th. The event draws aviation enthusiasts, pilots, and families alike to celebrate one of the most iconic aircraft of World War II—the Stearman biplane.
The event honors the legacy of the Stearman biplane, an iconic WWII-era trainer once dubbed “The Pilot Maker” for its role in preparing new military pilots. First designed by Lloyd Stearman in the 1930s and adopted by both the U.S. Army and Navy, these rugged open-cockpit planes—known for their distinctive bright colors and tandem seating—remain a symbol of American aviation history. The Fly-In was founded in 1972 by Jim Leahy and Tom Lowe and has grown from 27 aircraft to an annual fleet of up to 100, creating a tradition as enduring as the planes themselves.
The 2025 Fly-In offers a packed schedule of events for both pilots and the public. It all begins Monday with a pancake breakfast in nearby Kewanee, followed by a formation fly-over at the Galesburg Labor Day Parade at 10:00am. Daily pilot briefings, community picnics, and aviation seminars run throughout the week, along with open house fly-outs to Kewanee, Geneseo, and Abingdon. On Wednesday, September 3rd, Stearmans will again do a fly-over, this time over Monmouth’s Prime Beef Festival Parade at 5:00pm.
For those wanting a first-hand experience, both David Brown and Robert Preston will offer rides in their restored Stearmans. Reservations can be made by visiting the Stearman Fly-In website schedule of events, and scrolling down to the Stearman Biplane Rides section to find the men’s phone numbers. Walk-ups are also accepted at the Jet Air, Inc. office, but reservations are preferred.
Friday includes flour bombing and spot landing contests, and Saturday—the official Community Day—offers an all-you-can-eat breakfast by the Galesburg Noon Lions Club, children’s activities, formation flying, and a banquet catered by Patton Block Grill & Brew Pub.
Tram tours for $1, a poker run, and informal fly-bys take place throughout the week, making it easy to drop in and enjoy the sights. For updated details and possible schedule changes, visit the official Stearman Fly-In website: stearmanflyin.com, or follow their Facebook page: National Stearman Fly In.
