Light Flight Hot Air Balloons, Inc. & Barnstormer Aero

Now hear this - Flight Quarters, Flight Quarters

 All Hands Man Your Flight Quarters Stations

                                     The year is 1942 and the world is at war. You step out of the jeep as it pulls to a stop on the flight line. With helmet and goggles in hand, you climb onto the wing of the aircraft that will teach you the skills necessary to fly the Naval aircraft of the day. You are one of 193,000 Cadets that will be trained as a pilot from 1939 to 1945. 

While cadets looked forward to earning their wings, we offer you the opportunity to step back in time and experience a bygone era of flight. Biplanes bring to mind images of dogfights, barnstorming, aerial daring, and names such as the Red Baron and the Flying Circus.

Climb into the front cockpit of our 1941 U.S. Navy N2S-3 Stearman primary flight trainer and feel what it was like to have the wind in your face and nothing but blue-sky overhead. Let the deep sound of its radial engine and the wind whistling in the wires transport you back in time. Whether you imagine yourself a World War I ace attacking out of the sun or a barnstormer landing in a wheat field outside of town, there is nothing quite like the thrill of open cockpit flight.

 If the romance and adventure of vintage aeroplane flight appeals to you, allow us to introduce ourselves. We are Barnstormer Aero, a division of Light Flight Hot Air Balloons, Inc., a full time, and full service charter flight company.

       Your enjoyment and the safety of the flight are our first priorities. Accordingly, our aircraft are certified, licensed, and inspected as required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Your flight will piloted by an experienced and professional FAA licensed Commercial Pilot. Read our safety briefing. 

Learn what it was like to be a Naval Air or Army Air Corps Cadet in Primary Training During WWII

1. You sit in the front cockpit.

2. Take control and fly the aircraft - dual control equipped and you get to fly!

3. Feel the wind in your face, hear the wind in the wires, and have nothing but blue sky overhead.

Download a Biplane Brochure (PDF)  or read more about our biplane rides below and on our FAQ page

Where - all flights depart Harford County Airport (Aldino 0W3) in Churchville, MD (Directions)

Aerial Photography

    Our aircraft is an excellent platform for taking aerial photographs because there is nothing to interfere with your shot - no window, no glass - just open air! Our rates are the same as for our rides; it will be based on the amount of time required to get you there, get your photographs, and get you back. We are happy to review your plan and to provide a proposal.

For more information, to obtain a gift certificate, and to schedule a flight

Call 410-836-1116

History of the Stearman & Airplane Data

        The airplane is called a Stearman after its designer Mr. Lloyd Stearman. The original design was intended for civilian use however; the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army adopted the rugged and reliable biplane for use as a primary trainer (PT) to teach cadets to fly. The United States did not have an air force at the beginning of WW2, it was called the U.S. Army Air Corps. The military called the plane the "Kaydet" and it wore various designations as different variants. The Army called them PT 13's, 17's, 18's, and 27's while the Navy designations were N2S-1 thru N2S-5.

        Originally manufactured by the Stearman Aircraft Co. in Wichita, Kansas in 1934, the Stearman Company became the Stearman Aircraft Division of the Boeing Aircraft Company in 1936. Boeing Model 75's, as the aircraft was then known, were manufactured thru 1945 with 10,346 Kaydet trainers having been built, including spares.

        The young cadets learning to fly had other names for their trainer: the "Washing Machine" for its ability to "wash" candidates out of flight training and "Yellow Peril" for the bright yellow colors of the plane and the inevitable mishaps at the hands of student pilots. After the war, many of the planes survived to fly in civilian roles because: they had little metal scrap value (wood and fabric design), they could be purchased inexpensively, and they were sought after as crop dusters and air show performers.

This picture is an Army PT-17 version owned by Mr. Rick Conn. The shot was taken by Cheryl Williams, a passenger in one of our balloons.

Specifics about our Stearman

        "Ole Yeller" as she is affectionately called, is a Boeing B75N1 or N2S-3 which when deciphered means: N=Navy, 2=Second Model, S=Stearman and the dash 3 indicates that it has the Continental R-670 engine. The R-670 is a seven cylinder air cooled radial engine developing 220 horsepower. She was built in 1941 and sold after the war as surplus for $700! The cost for a new propeller today is close to  $8,000.00! It was given the civilian registration N9215H and was used as a crop duster in New England.

    We recently had the rare opportunity for a formation photo shoot with a very historic airplane (aside from our own of course). We joined up with a 1939 Piper Cub powered with a Lenape Papoose three cylinder radial engine. The significance is that there are only a handful of these aircraft in existence with this unusual radial engine configuration. The airplane was restored by Gorge Air Service at Harford County Airport. After an initial test flight, we took off together; a 1941 Stearman with a seven cylinder 220 hp radial engine and the little 3 cylinder 50 hp powered Cub. For a look at some great photos of the Lenape Cub, Barnstormer Aero's Stearman, and the flight, you may go to SMBRJ Photography The aerials were shot by Mike Malat in a Citabria flown by Ben Anderson. There is nothing quite like two yellow birds in the air together over the beautiful fall foliage to make a photographers dream come true. It was also fun to fly alongside such a unique airplane. The Cub's airspeed was about 70 mph so both the Citabria and the Stearman had to slow up some for the event. It was a memorable flight on a crisp fall day.

Call to schedule your adventure today or see our FAQ page for more details

410-836-1116

P.O. Box 837, Bel Air, Maryland 21014

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