Havasu Heights - Local operator offers rides in WWII vintage plane.

By DAVID BELL
Today’s News-Herald
Constant Stoepler has ridden in many airplanes, all over the world. But even he was surprised at how comfortable a World War II vintage bi-plane was as he flew over Lake Havasu.
“I’m amazed at how smooth a ride that was,” Stoepler said. “You feel the wind in your face, you feel the vibration of the prop. I liked that!”
Stoepler was a passenger on Bi-Plane Rides at Havasu, the yellow 1942 Stearman bi-plane owned by Bob McClory and piloted by Ed Weber. The plane flies out of the D2 Aero hanger at the Lake Havasu City Municipal Airport.
“Everybody that flies it, loves it,” said McClory. “We had a 78-year-old gentleman who said it was his first time in a small airplane and said it was the most amazing experience he’s ever had. We had a 9-year-old that didn’t want to come down.”
“Now he wants to learn how to fly. I guess we created a monster,” said Weber.
The Stearman is a two passenger, open-air cockpit plane. It has a 22 horsepower, 670 cubic-inch Continental engine and the frame is completely covered in Dacron fabric.
The Stearman bi-plane line was originally developed as a training plane for World War II pilots. After the war, the planes were sold off and used primarily for crop dusting.
“But because the plane is so reliable, there are still 2,000 in operation today. There are even companies that still build parts for it,” said McClory.
McClory along with family operated tour flights in southern California in the 1990s. When the opportunity to purchase the Stearman came along, he said he jumped at it. In 2004, he moved the plane to Lake Havasu City and brought Weber on to fly.
Weber is a retired commercial pilot with 50-years experience in the air. He also flew competition aerobatics for a few years, though he said he likes to maintain a “smooth stick” in bi-plane these days.
Passengers climb into the front seat of the plan and plane their legs on either side of the stick, which moves under the control of Weber. Passengers are also given a cloth aviators cap to wear, not just to get into the spirit but also to communicate. The radio is part of the headgear.
Even the taxi ride along the runway is unique in a bi-plane, as Weber weaves the plane back and forth. That’s because the nose sits higher than the rear – so the propeller doesn’t hit the ground – and looking over the side is the only way to make sure nothing is in the plane’s path. Liftoff is equally unique, as the rear comes off the ground before the nose.
In the air is when the one-of-a-kind experience really kicks in.
“On a normal plane, you’re looking out a window that might be about a foot square. Here, you see it all. There’s nothing to block your view,” said Stoepler.
Cameras are encouraged, as riders get an opportunity to see Lake Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, the city, Island, Channel and London Bridge from a completely new perspective.
“The water color was different than what I expected, It was beautiful to see,” Stoepler said.
Riders have three tour options; the River Tour over the Sandbar then back to Lake Havasu and the airport, the Island Tour which goes over the bridge and Island on the way to SARA Park and then over the city to spot the riders house from the air, and the Topock Run Tour which includes both the River and Island Tours and a run over the Topock Gorge.
Gift certificates are available, which McClory said is how most people take their first ride.
“The bi-plane is very popular as a Christmas, birthday or Father’s Day gift,” McClory said.
Online at http://biplanerides.net/index.html or call 764-1044.