Flying in a Stearman

After Kyle had supervised my putting-on-the-parachute, I was ready to attempt an entrance into the cockpit. I climbed up on the wing and did two high-steps into the front seat cockpit. Climbing into the Stearman was similar to climbing into the cramped confines of a Cobra helicopter, except the Stearman cockpit is even narrower. But with the Stearman, and unlike the Cobra, I didn't have to worry about stepping on a radio panel along the side of the cockpit. Still, it required the same high leg lifts to clear the lip of the cockpit. It's a good thing I've stayed in shape with all those ballet lessons.

I oozed down into the seat, pulled the chest straps over my shoulders, threaded the left half of the seat belt through the loops at the bottom of the straps, and laid the eyelet of that half of the belt into the hook of the other half of the belt. Then I clasped the belt together and cinched the straps. If Kevin did decide to do some acrobatics, I didn't want to go bouncing around like a popcorn kernel in a microwave oven.

I took the soft canvas flying helmet that was draped across the control stick and pulled the helmet onto my head. I looked around for a flying scarf, but I didn't find one. That was a disappointment and, for a moment, I thought about borrowing a scarf from my wife, but then I realized that wouldn't promote the image I had in mind.

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