When you choose Vintage Air Tours for your Stearman Biplane Rides and Navion Tours, you’re not just booking a flight; you’re embarking on an unforgettable adventure with the best aviators in the industry. Our team of highly skilled instructor pilots brings a wealth of experience, having flown through the stunning Alaskan bush and navigated the high-stress combat environments of the Middle East. One thing is certain: we are passionate about flying.
Join us for a breathtaking sightseeing tour and immerse yourself in the rich history of aviation as you take the controls of our vintage 1943 Stearman biplane or our Korean War-era transport aircraft, the U-18 Navion. With Vintage Air Tours Stearman Biplane Rides and Navion Tours, you’ll enjoy a unique opportunity to connect with the past and experience the thrill of flight like never before. Don’t miss out on this bucket-list adventure—come fly with us and discover why we are the top-rated experience in South Texas!
Founder
Jeremy, the founder of Vintage Air Tours began his piloting career as a kid looking to the sky pointing at airplanes. A pursuit of his dreams found him in a professional flying capacity as a defense contract pilot with 25 combat deployments under his belt over a decade long career. Jeremy’s background in aerobatics, austere flying and Master Flight Instructor accreditation bring a unique level of experience to the Vintage Air Tours Team.
“Betty”, our award winning Stearman biplane was acquired at the end of 2019 and our Stearman Biplane rides business was born. Proudly based in based in South Texas, Jeremy makes it his mission to honor military aviation while working hard to inspire a future generation of aviators.
If we had to describe Benjamin in one word, it would be “passionate.” When he’s not flying Navion and Stearman Biplane Rides with Vintage Air Tours, you can find him diligently working in the hangar, polishing our fleet of pristine aircraft to ensure they remain in top condition.
Originally hailing from Pennsylvania, Benjamin has fully embraced Texas, as evidenced by his stylish cowboy hat and boots perfectly complementing his flight suit. As a highly qualified instructor pilot, his enthusiasm for aviation history and commitment to exceptional customer service make him a perfect fit for the Vintage Air Tours family. Join us for a flight and experience the dedication and expertise that Benjamin brings to every flight!
Tour Pilot
Tour Pilot
If we had to describe Benjamin in one word, it would be “passionate.” When he’s not flying sightseeing rides with Vintage Air Tours, you can find him diligently working in the hangar, polishing our fleet of pristine aircraft to ensure they remain in top condition.
Originally hailing from Pennsylvania, Benjamin has fully embraced Texas, as evidenced by his stylish cowboy hat and boots perfectly complementing his flight suit. As a highly qualified instructor pilot, his enthusiasm for aviation history and commitment to exceptional customer service make him a perfect fit for the Vintage Air Tours family. Join us for a flight and experience the dedication and expertise that Benjamin brings to every flight!
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1943 PT-17 STEARMAN
The PT-17 traces its roots to the Stearman Model 70, built as a private venture to meet a 1934 U.S. Army Air Corps request for a new trainer to replace its aging primary trainer fleet. Re-engined with a Wright J-5 Whirlwind, the design was first ordered by the U.S. Navy in 1935 as the NS-1. Using a Lycoming R-680-5 radial engine and known as the Model 75, the Air Corps ordered the type into production as the PT-13 in 1936. With a variety of engines and designations, the Model 75 went on to become one of the most widely produced and used primary trainers in U.S. military service.
The Model 75 biplane featured a fabric-covered, welded steel tube fuselage and spruce wing construction, and enjoyed a reputation as a simple, cost effective design. Student pilots occupied the front cockpit, while the instructor sat in a rear cockpit with identical controls. Its rugged, forgiving nature made it an excellent primary trainer, providing a relatively safe introduction for pilot trainees into military flight.The Boeing Aircraft Company bought out the Stearman Company in the middle 1930s, and continued production of the Model 75 for the military. Although built by Boeing, the Model 75 continued to be known as the “Stearman”.
In 1940, a Continental R-670-5 engine was fitted to the design to create the PT-17, of which over 3,500 were eventually ordered for U.S. Army service. The plane also enjoyed large U.S. Navy orders as the N2S, and in 1942 both services adopted an interchangeable version as the N2S-5/PT-13D, powered by the Lycoming R-680-17 engine. Demand for the Stearman at the outbreak of World War II outstripped engine supply, so another powerplant, the Jacobs R-755-7, was used on the airframe to create the PT-18.
Learn about all this history and more when you book Stearman biplane rides with us!
The Navion was originally designed at the end of World War II by North American Aviation. North American built 1,109 Navions in 1946–47, which included 83 L-17As for the US Army and National Guard.
Ryan Aeronautical Company acquired the design in the summer of 1947, launching production at its San Diego factory in 1948. Ryan built 1,240 Navions (powered by 205 hp Continental O-470 engines or 250 hp Lycoming O-435 engines, including 163 aircraft for the US armed forces, before production ended in 1951, with Ryan wanting to concentrate on defense production.
The United States Army Air Force bought 83 L-17As, later changed to the U-18 designation from North American in 1946 to be utilized as liaison and staff transport aircraft. 36 went to the Army and 47 to the National Guard. These were supplemented by 163 L-17Bs from 1948, which were ordered by the United States Air Force on behalf of the Army and National Guard, with 129 going to the Army and the rest to the National Guard. During the Korean War, the US Army’s Navion fleet added casualty evacuation and forward air controller to the aircraft’s liaison and light transport duties.
The Navion was phased out of front line service by 1957, with the surplus aircraft handed over to the Civil Air Patrol or sold off to private owners. There are approximately 860 Navion aircraft that remain in an airworthy status today.
An air tour in “Norma” is sure to leave you breathless. Book your flight today and see why we love keeping rare and vintage aircraft flying!
1947 U-18 NORTH AMERICAN NAVION A
1947 U-18 NORTH AMERICAN NAVION A
The Navion was originally designed at the end of World War II by North American Aviation. North American built 1,109 Navions in 1946–47, which included 83 L-17As for the US Army and National Guard.
Ryan Aeronautical Company acquired the design in the summer of 1947, launching production at its San Diego factory in 1948. Ryan built 1,240 Navions (powered by 205 hp Continental O-470 engines or 250 hp Lycoming O-435 engines, including 163 aircraft for the US armed forces, before production ended in 1951, with Ryan wanting to concentrate on defense production.
The United States Army Air Force bought 83 L-17As, later changed to the U-18 designation from North American in 1946 to be utilized as liaison and staff transport aircraft. 36 went to the Army and 47 to the National Guard. These were supplemented by 163 L-17Bs from 1948, which were ordered by the United States Air Force on behalf of the Army and National Guard, with 129 going to the Army and the rest to the National Guard. During the Korean War, the US Army’s Navion fleet added casualty evacuation and forward air controller to the aircraft’s liaison and light transport duties.
The Navion was phased out of front line service by 1957, with the surplus aircraft handed over to the Civil Air Patrol or sold off to private owners. There are approximately 860 Navion aircraft that remain in an airworthy status today.
An air tour in “Norma” is sure to leave you breathless. Book your flight today and see why we love keeping rare and vintage aircraft flying!
Originally hailing from Pennsylvania, Benjamin has fully embraced Texas, as evidenced by his stylish cowboy hat and boots perfectly complementing his flight suit. As a highly qualified instructor pilot, his enthusiasm for aviation history and commitment to exceptional customer service make him a perfect fit for the Vintage Air Tours family. Join us for a flight and experience the dedication and expertise that Benjamin brings to every flight!
The Stearman biplane is one of the most common warbirds still flying today- that said, you have lots of options when choosing who you fly or train with. We are NOT a museum- our aircraft fly 7 days a week and are maintained by professional mechanics. You will also experience MUCH more of our aircraft than just reading a plaque and taking a picture. When you join us for a flight, plan to spend an hour with us at the airport, as your pilot will talk about all the history associated with the airplane you are flying, as well as have you participate in the relevant pre-flight safety checks! All of our aircraft have dual controls, so that you can actually try your hand at flying during our Stearman Biplane Rides (if you choose).
We recommend that you bring a jacket just in case. It can get chilly in the open cockpit biplane depending on the season of the year and the day’s weather. During the summer months a short sleeve shirt is usually comfortable, but most other times it is best to wear a jacket. We also recommend that you wear comfortable shoes such as sneakers. Climbing in and out of the plane can be challenging in high heels! In addition, we recommend wearing sun glasses to protect your eyes from the wind and of course, the sun! You will be furnished a cloth helmet with earphones to wear during the Navion or Stearman Biplane Rides so no additional headgear is required.
We need you at the airport no later than 15 minutes prior to your flight time. Many times flights are booked back to back and the schedule is tight, so we appreciate you being on time.
We now fly out of two locations. If booked at Arrowhead, please park in the grass lot in front of the hangar. Your pilot will meet you there and will guide you to the plane on the ramp area. Spectators are always welcome and get an up close view right from the runway edge!
If you are flying out of Rockport, please make your way to the terminal building and your pilot will meet you there!
Our PT-17 Stearman biplane rides hold one passenger plus the pilot. You cannot place small children on your lap during a flight. We encourage you to book flights back-to-back flights however to better share the experience! The Stearman Biplane rides are best suited for ages 10 and up.
We also operate a 1947 U-18 North American Navion that can accommodate 3 passengers at a time! This plane ride is an economical way to take the whole family up for a scenic airplane ride!
Aerobatics are the maneuvers that you might see an aircraft do at an air show. They have also been described as tricks or stunts. One thing for sure, they are fun. We will not just take you up and start flipping you over and upside down. The maneuvers are done with increasing intensity depending on each person’s input and desires. The pilot will talk you through it. Once you get comfortable with this new experience we can pick up the pace. It is difficult to adequately describe what aerobatics feel like, but here are a few points worth noting:
It is very smooth and graceful, not jerky like a roller coaster.
The open cockpit keeps people from getting sick 99% of the time and most of the passengers who take an aerobatic flight say it was better than they expected.
One of the greatest thrills in life!
Yes, as long as you can keep control of the device so it does not blow out! I once had a passenger lose their camera overboard during an aerobatic flight and it was found in a field some months later by a farmer and I returned it to the customer but this is rare. She was able to recover the photos from the disc but the camera did not survive the impact. So it is best to use a wrist strap if you are planning to take photos or video while on your flight.
Yes. The precise weight depends on the air temperature and density for the day of the flight but generally we can take anyone that is 300 pounds or less. The seats in our airplanes are adjustable in height and the cockpit is fairly roomy compared to most training aircraft of the day.
There is no defined age limit, but 10 is typically the minimum age we will let fly in the biplane. I have taken passengers in their 90’s that have greatly enjoyed the flight as well as children of all ages. For children it really depends on the maturity of the child and whether they are OK to sit by themselves during the flight. Our PT-17 Biplane only takes one passenger at a time. The seats are adjustable and additional seat cushions can also be used to make sure that children can sit high enough in the seat to see out and enjoy the flight. There are two way communications between the pilot and the passenger so this usually helps as I have found children have lots of questions!
We encourage kids to fly in the Navion! There’s room for 3!
Absolutely, the more the merrier! Anyone attending will be able to view the aircraft taking off and landing as well as some of the flying, depending on the nature of the ride and how far we are venturing out for the day. Chairs are available for anyone who is waiting in the airport area. There will be plenty photo opportunities before and after the flight with the aircraft. We want everyone to enjoy the day and the experience and have a great time!
While it’s not required, (but certainly always appreciated) many of our customers are so thrilled by their flight, they just can’t resist a showing some appreciation. Our pilots keep 100% of their tips.
Yes. Call us at 361-238-6637 to discuss options
There are a number of reasons we may cancel your flight due to the weather. Simply put, we will not take you up on a day where you will not be thrilled with your flight or if it is unsafe to fly. This can include high wind or very cold days. Your pilot has the authority to cancel, change, or shorten a flight due to weather or other variables. If we have to cancel your flight due to inclement weather we will gladly reschedule your flight for the next best date.
Everything in life has risk. Quite simply however, your biggest risk will be driving to the airport. Safety is the only thing that takes priority over having fun. We give hundreds of flights each year and your pilot is a FAA-certified flight instructor with thousands of hours of experience. We follow the rules to the letter, are fully compliant with our 14 CFR 91.147 LOA, maintain a perfect flying safety record and our aircraft are maintained to meet the highest FAA maintenance standards.
We offer several location options to fly from in a couple different aircraft. Our most popular flight experience is a 30-minute scenic flight in “Betty”, our 1943 PT-17 Stearman biplane. The Stearman seats one passenger at a time, the stearman biplane rides experience runs $300 plus tax. A 30 minute flight in “Norma”, our 1947 North American Manufactured Navion seats up to 3 guests per flight, and the 30 minute scenic tour is priced at $100/per person. Visit our online booking calendar here for availability and booking information.
Occasionally, things come up that result in us having to cancel or reschedule your flight. In the event of adverse weather, we will gladly provide you with an e-gift certificate to redeem on another day with us. If we need to initiate a cancellation due to maintenance or crew unavailability, we will gladly provide a refund to the original payment method used to book the reservation. Tours and experiences booked through 3rd party services are subject to the terms and conditions of the website where the reservation was made. We do the best we can to minimize cancellations, but safety is and always will be our top priority. Thank you for understanding!
