I went to the Flying Circus Balloon Festival (see photos here) thinking I would take a balloon ride, but worked up the courage to take a flight in the open cockpit Stearman biplane (also known as a PT17).  The one I flew in was built in the 1940s, and is the same style plane the Tuskegee Airman used to train on for World War II.

I was nervous since this was my first time in an open cockpit plane, but I’m so glad to have had this experience!!  It was better than riding a roller coaster.

Have you ever taken an open cockpit flight?  Let me know your experience in the comments.  Here’s a quick video I shot during the flight.

My pilot got me as close as possible to the balloons so I could get great shots.

It was about a 10 minute ride at 3,000 feet with an amazing view!

Steven Glintz, one of the other photographers at the meet up, was kind enough to snap this photo of me as I was taking a photo of my pilot in the mirror after I landed.

My first open cockpit flight in a BT17 Stearman at the Flying Circus Balloon Festival in Bealeton, VA. (Photo by Steven Glintz.)

(Featured photo by Steven Glintz)