Results of 25th Annual SFI

• PRESS RELEASE •

The 25th Annual Stearman Fly-In was held June 9-10 in St. Francis, Kansas, on the Cheyenne County Airport (kSYF).

Approximately 85 aircraft attended, including 10 of the World War II vintage, open cockpit Stearmans, 5 hot air balloons, a T-28, a Beechcraft Staggerwing and a pristine Mullicoupe. The Stearmans came from as far as California and Texas.

John Kugler, McCook, NE, was the only balloonist to fly: he flew on Saturday evening. John and Linda Nash, Parker, CO, inflated and tethered their balloon on Saturday afternoon. The seven story high balloon made a lovely backdrop for the Stearman biplanes and the skydivers. Over 40 skydives were made during the event, including the popular Friday night demonstration jump onto the High School practice field.

Eric Baldwin of Denver, CO, popped three balloons in a row in the Balloon Bust contest, but since Eric was unable to attend the awards ceremony, he graciously gave the prize to Michael Baldwin, another long time attendee and fellow Stearman pilot.

The Saturday night BBQ included an interesting talk by Dr. Curt Kimball, Sterling, CO, and a well received performance by his Barbershop Quartet. Kimball has attended every Fly-In, and was the originator of the event.

If you'd like to read a Salina Journal article about the Fly-In, click here. Check out the photos to see more.

If you have photos of this year's Fly-In that you'd like to share, please click here.