The Staggerwing D-17S
Learning to fly was one of the most satisfying and exciting experiences anyone can have. The only thing more exciting is learning to land, but that is another story!
Joe Kittinger invited me several times to fly with him in the Staggerwing D-17S, owned by Bob Snow and Church Street Station in Orlando. Both Kathy and I have many fond memories of time spent in N711ZZ.
The Staggerwing is an atypical American bi-plane given its’ negative stagger, the lower wing is more forward than the upper wing. It has six fuel tanks, only one with a fuel pump! Timing of fuel consumption from the tanks was critical to maintain good weight and balance in the air.
Here is an interesting video that shows the start up of the Staggerwing from inside the cockpit.