Gary Rower Airshow

The Stearman began life as a basic flight trainer for the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942. In 1973 the aircraft was completely reconstructed. At this time the 220 horse power seven-cylinder engine was replaced with a nine-cylinder 450 horse power Pratt and Whitney Wasp Junior engine. It was also fitted with a fuel and oil system capable of sustained inverted flight, as well as a nine-foot propeller that is nearly supersonic throughout Gary’s air show performance.

Engine: P&W R-985 Wasp, Jr.

Wingspan: 32.17 ft

Stall: 55kts

Max Altitude: Classified

Max Speed: Classified

Empty Weight: 2536 lbs

Gross Weight: Classified

         50% Cruise Power: 110 kts

Horsepower: 450+

Length: 24.83 ft

Height: 9.33 ft

Range: 175 nm

Rate of Climb: Classified

Max Fuel: 46 Gallons

Gary Rower

Gary Rower

You can feel the pulse of each explosion of the nine-cylinder Pratt and Whitney engine as Gary Rower pulls up into a vertical maneuver.  You can see the control services move as the big airplane begins to roll. You can almost see Gary work the stick and pedals when he is inverted.

Gary Rower in a climb

I first met Gary at the Cheyenne Air Show and was awed by the graceful flight of the big, noisy Stearman with the powerful 450 horsepower engine.

Gary started flying when he was 16. He went on to the U.S. Air Force Academy where he became a soaring instructor and captain of the soaring team. After graduation Gary went on to pilot training and learned to fly what was then the newest fighter in the Air Force inventory – The F-16 Fighting Falcon.

After he left the Air Force, Gary joined a major air carrier and now flies Boeing 767s to Europe, South America and other points around the world, accumulating more than 18,000 hours.

Gary Rower over the topGary’s graceful performance is a combination of barnstormer, dare devil and dancer, with loops, rolls, hammerheads, slow rolls, an outside humpty-bump and more. Once you’ve seen it you will never forget the big, beautiful, loud PT-47 Stearman.