WWII Stearman Bi-plane Warbird Rides Added to New River Valley Airport Event

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Dublin, VA August 12, 2026 — The Capital Wing of the Commemorative Air Force has just announced its WWII Stearman bi-plane will be available for warbird rides at the Warbirds and Wheels event this Saturday and Sunday August 15 and 16 at the New River Valley Airport, Dublin, VA.

 

“Flying in the iconic Stearman bi-plane is a bucket-list item for many folks,” said Pete Ballard, Capital Wing event organizer. “We are delighted to be able to offer our 1942 Stearman at the last minute for the New River Valley Airport event, as it was not scheduled to appear,” he said.

 

The two-day event is at the New River Valley Airport, 5391 C V Jackson Rd, Dublin, VA 24084, only 6 miles from I-81, Saturday and Sunday August 15 and 16 from 10am until 4pm. Parking and admission is free.

 

The 1942 Boeing PT-17 Stearman bi-plane was the primary trainer for US Army and Navy pilots in WWII. It was said if you could learn to fly a Stearman, you could fly anything. Joining the Stearman on the ramp flying rides will be a 1943 Stinson OY-1 with combat flights in its logbook and a 1968 Piper Cherokee 180 general aviation airplane carrying up to three passengers.

 

Rides may be purchased in advance at the Capital Wing website CapitalWingCAF.org and any flights not sold in advance will be available for sale at the airport during the event.

 

On the static flight line will be the L-39 Albatros, a high-performance jet trainer designed and produced by Aero Vodochody in the Czech Republic. In 1968 it became the first trainer aircraft in the world to be equipped with a turbofan powerplant. The L-39 will perform high-speed flybys at the event on Saturday at 10:30am and 1pm, and on Sunday at 12pm and on departure. The L-39 is being flown by the Warrior Flight Team.

 

Also static from the Capital Wing will be a Beechcraft T-34, and a rare Japanese Fuji LM-1.

 

Saturday only from 10am to 2pm the event will host a Cruise In of vintage and antique cars with live music provided by the Reflections band. Three food trucks will be on the aircraft ramp. Both days the public will find the Capital Wing PX and B-26 turret as well as numerous general aviation aircraft on static display on the aircraft ramp.

 

All aircraft scheduled for this event will appear subject to aircraft availability, weather, maintenance, and pilot availability.