2021 FLY-IN AWARD WINNERS
Here are the award winners from the 51st National Stearman Fly-In held Sept. 5-11, 2021 at the Galesburg Municipal Airport:
Early Bird:
(first pilot-in-command to arrive at Galesburg Municipal Airport for the 2021 Fly-In who remained for the duration): Marie Spear arrived September 1, 2021 at 11:45 am from Kenosha, WI in Stearman N57950.
Longest Cross-Country:
(awarded to the pilot whose direct route from his or her home airport to Galesburg was the longest in a Stearman): Ken Horowitz flew 1,936 sm from Bremerton, WA, in Stearman N1936M. And Tom Rodgers flew 1,936 from Grapeview, WA, in Stearman N5404N.
Youngest Pilot:
(awarded to the youngest pilot who, acting as pilot-in-command, landed a Stearman upon its arrival for the 2021 Fly-In): Ben Thomas, 20 years old, born August 20, 2001, Starksville, MS, Stearman N36PH.
Most Vintage Pilot:
(awarded to the oldest person who, acting as pilot-in-command, landed a Stearman upon its arrival for the 2019 Fly-In): Nick Sager, May 5, 1938, 83 years old, Granbury, TX, Stearman N64602 "Puckered Penguin".
Fly-In Contest Awards:
Short-Field Takeoff (Stock Engines):
(shortest distance from start of take-off roll until airborne): First: N75NM, Nick Mirales, 329 ft.; Second: N54653, Bob Pingston, 350 ft.; Third: N42DB, Daniel Wolford, 415 ft.
Short-Field Takeoff (275- to 300-horsepower engines):
(shortest distance from start of take-off roll until airborne): First: N9912H, Hans Nordsiek, 415 ft.; Second: N61135, Tom Landon, 425 ft.; Third: N58219, George Madok, 500 ft.
Short-Field Takeoff (450-horsepower engines):
(shortest distance from start of take-off roll until airborne): First: N803RB, Brian Aukes, 271 ft.; Second: N555BR, Matthew Sawhill, 274 ft.; Third: N51875, Coleman Fait, 313 ft.
Rescue Drop:
(for the flour bomb dropped closest to the center of the target): First: N1370V, Jim Ratliff, pilot and Sue Anderson, bombardier, 30 ft. 8 in.; Second: N54653, Bob Pingston, pilot and bombardier, 49 ft.; Third: N51876, Coleman Fait, pilot and bombardier, 59 ft. 5 in.
Precision Landing Contest:
(for landing closest to a designated line): First: N60657, Cal Tax, 75 ft.; Second: N66417, Mike Lowe, 100 ft.; Third: N33NA, Roger Brown, 115 ft.
Aerobatic Competition:
First: N555BR, Matthew Sawhill; Second: N74031, Mike Turner; Third: N63806, Bob Swint
Formation Competition – 4 Ship:
First: Scorpions: N60657, Cal Tax; N64W, Rick Lutes; N63301, Chuck Marshall; N59457, Vic Syracuse; Second: Clydesdales: N802RB, Ric Woldow; N69249, Dan Sokolowski; N555BR, Mathew Sawhill; N806BR, Brian Aukes; Third: Gumbo Flight: N53255, Shannon Elliot; N62241, Ryan Elliot; N5143N, Philip Grace; N75R, Robby Grice.
Newest Restoration:
(presented to the owner of the Stearman whose restoration was completed closest to the date of the presentation of this award): N33NA, First flight June 6, 2021, Roger Brown, St. Lucie, FL
Hard Luck Award:
Stearman N347KF, Paul Fries, Buffalo Grove, IL
Poker Run:
First: N42PW, Phil Webb, Three of a Kind, 3 threes; Second: N59791, John O'Malley, Two Pairs, kings and fives; Third: N60657, Cal Tax, Two Pairs, jacks and twos.
Kaydet Award:
(for excellence in restoration of Army Stearmans): N9686F, John Rettick, Bloomington, IL
Yellow Peril Award:
(for excellence in restoration of Navy Stearmans): N4939N, Blake Anderson, The Villages, FL
Best Civilian:
(for excellence in restoration of civilian Stearmans): NC799H, 1931 Stearman C3R, Tom & Nancy Lowe, Crystal Lake, IL.
Best Custom:
(in recognition of creativity and workmanship on custom Stearmans): N450CJ, Chad Johnson, Houston, TX.
Best Military Custom:
(in recognition of creativity and workmanship on military custom Stearmans): N74031, Mike Turner, Cartersville, GA.
Lloyd Stearman Award:
(presented to a Stearman documented to be of significant importance in the Stearman Aircraft Company’s history, or one that has been restored to replicate or preserve the historic accuracy of a civilian or military Stearman): Stearman N69389, Doug Moore, Noblesville, IN.
Other Awards:
Bill Adams Memorial Foundation Award:
(in recognition of sustained effort that contributed measurably to the continued success of the National Stearman Fly-In and greater Stearman community): Presented to Tom Lowe, Co-founder of the National Stearman Fly-In, and SRA President for 20 years.
