So tell us about biplanes

[9GClub]

The 150's ok, but the closed cabin is getting on my nerves. Anybody own/fly a two-winger (or, God forbid, an *ULTRALIGHT*)? Is it true that cruising in a Stearman or a Waco is the quintessential aviation experience? [Insert Mile-High Club jokes here.] Do all the struts/wires/windscreens get in the way [of the flying, not the club initiations] or are they tolerable? I wanna fly one off a grass strip one day, and so far it looks like I'm looking at building a strip and coming up with >$75k. Is giving rides (i.e. a business) in something like that an insurance nightmare?

 

[navigator72]

Insurance will kill you on scenic rides in a biplane

check out wacoclassic.com for some cool planes though

 

[Ill Mitch]

The 150's ok, but the closed cabin is getting on my nerves. Anybody own/fly a two-winger (or, God forbid, an *ULTRALIGHT*)? Is it true that cruising in a Stearman or a Waco is the quintessential aviation experience? [Insert Mile-High Club jokes here.] Do all the struts/wires/windscreens get in the way [of the flying, not the club initiations] or are they tolerable? I wanna fly one off a grass strip one day, and so far it looks like I'm looking at building a strip and coming up with >$75k. Is giving rides (i.e. a business) in something like that an insurance nightmare?

Two wings are awesome. Stearmans suck (just my opinion), Waco's are good, a Pitts is better. And I am one of the few that like the S-2's over the S-1.

It is always neat cruising around and seeing two wings out there.

 

[Flechas]

The most memorable flight in my life was in a Stearman, I remember it like it was yesterday....

 

[9GClub]

I forgot to specify open-cockpit...... so we have one vote for Waco over Stearman, anybody wanna chip in?

 

[Flechas]

I vote Stearman!!

 

[Ill Mitch]

I forgot to specify open-cockpit...... so we have one vote for Waco over Stearman, anybody wanna chip in?

The Pitts I owned (S-1C) was an open cockpit.

But if I had to choose between a Waco and Stearman, I would choose the Waco.

 

[EMBATP]

how about...

tiger moth?

 

[sbav8r]

Waco. Greatest experience ever. Flying tours can work in certain markets, but there is serious liability involved. Insurance on that type of operation will be very high, but it can offset the cost of ownership.

 

[Rolling-Thunder]

I flew a Stearman a few times, and enjoyed every second of it.

In a couple of years, I will be flying a 1910 Glenn Curtiss biplane called the "Hudson-Flier".

 

[DC4boy]

Mitch has obviously never flown a 450 Stearman,,,

 

[VNugget]

Flying, where it's OK to be bi.

(2 hours of WACO stick time chiming in )

 

[Ill Mitch]

Mitch has obviously never flown a 450 Stearman,,,

You are correct, I hear they are nice.
I've just flown the 220 (or was it 230)...Can't remember as it was about 12 years ago.

The only 450 bi-plane I have time in is an Ag-Cat, with the windows off...does that count as open cockpit?

 

[DC4boy]

450 Stearman is a blast, higly recomend it.


Waco's are alright, I dont see whats so cool about them.......

 

[Ill Mitch]

450 Stearman is a blast, higly recomend it.


Waco's are alright, I dont see whats so cool about them.......

I liked the way they handled over the Stearman, of course the Stearman I flew only had two ailerons.

Both are fun to land (The older Waco's anyway).

 

[Wasted]

Just keep your mouth shut or bugs will collect between your teeth.

 

[Ill Mitch]

Just keep your mouth shut or bugs will collect between your teeth.

Since I fly for a living, it's the only protein I can afford.

 

[BD King]

OK. Guess I am the odd guy out here. I DO NOT like open cockpit airplanes. Owned a Pitts, and have flown a couple WACO's plus PT19s and PT 22's. If I had to pick, it would be the PT22, but still, I would rather fly something that resembled a closed cockpit.


www.bdkingpress.com

 

[9GClub]

OK. Guess I am the odd guy out here. I DO NOT like open cockpit airplanes.

BD, why not?

 

[lear24]

Starduster Too is a great biplane, very nimble and fun to fly. Being a homebuilt they can be found with many different engine configurations, everything from 150 hp lycomings to 220 hp radials!

To your original question, it is a blast being out there with nothing above you, if you have the urge for it, you'd love it. If you've never flown a tailwheel you might want to get that experience in something a little easier to land first, though. In most biplanes you completely lose the view out the front in the flare.