Welcome to the BigSkyStearman
Website! We have a great record, with more than 30
years experience providing the Stearman owner/operator with services to repair his wooden
wings by using owner produced parts and FAA/PMA parts. We are a
source for aircraft-quality Douglas Fir wing spars. Expert dual
instruction and ferry services are available. Come check it out today!
BigSkyStearman
Creation
Explorer Sea Plane Tender
Big Sky is sponsoring the refurbishment of this retired trawler for the
Creation Explorers Aviation Club. A group of dedicated young people have
chipped and scraped on this vessel and returned it to seaworthy condition.
The Piper Cub seaplane is lifted onto the back deck and carried to interesting
destinations where it is used for scientific observation and training.
The vessel is being used for marine and aviation training for young people
in conjunction with non-profit ministry exploring God's creation.
Please
feel free to inquire about this interesting project.
New Trailer for the Up-Coming film by the Creation Explorers:
First Adventures with the Creation Explorer CRV-1:
Work accomplished on the
Creation Explorer, formerly
the Susan Nicole of Astoria,
since 6-04 :
Engine Room
Cleaned bilge, painted with Ameron Red Oxide.
Cleaned engine room and painted Ameron Grey.
Cleaned battery areas and installed batteries in boxes with new
battery cables.
Recent oil change and oil / fuel filter service, main and genset
( 10-06).
Cleaned engines and painted.
Placards applied to engine room.
Installed 35 gallon holding tank, macerator pump and plumbing on
ceiling.
Installed new 6” exhaust on main engine with new muffler
and deck plate.
New welder leads and painted welder.
New ¾ plywood floor boards installed in engine room.
New shaft seal in hydraulic pump, new hoses and hydraulic piping.
New bilge / deck pump hoses and piping through deck plate.
Certified 3 Halon engine room fire bottles.
Improved wiring.
Cleaned air filters.
Replaced primary fuel filter.
Replaced stdb. and port main fuel tank valves.
Added diesel fuel additives.
Head
Installed marine head and plumbing.
Installed wash basin and plumbing.
Installed ventilator.
Carpet.
Painted walls.
Galley
Painted walls / Cupboards
Installed new stove ventilator.
Installed new refrigerator.
Carpet.
House
Constructed Railing on house roof.
Certified all fire extinquishers.
Constructed “crows nest” and ladder on mast.
Repaired doors.
Removed misc. weldments.
Installed 2nd bunk in no. 2 Stateroom.
Installed carpets.
Fresh paint.
Wheel house
Cleaned up electrical.
Installed bell.
Installed horn.
Repaired doors.
Hydraulics and boom
Constructed a boom gooseneck and installed a boom.
Installed hydraulic winch on boom and mast, routed cables and pulley
blocks.
Installed some new hydraulic hoses to winches and new hydraulics
to anchor winch.
Lazarette
Installed new chain on rudder steering.
Deck
Removed old wood deck, various steel brackets and fish gear.
Painted deck.
Removed aft bulwarks and installed stanchions and rope rail.
Installed water access steps in stern chute.
Installed Port bulwarks step down hinged dock stair.
Installed stern bits.
New hand rails on bulwarks opposite wheelhouse.
Installed diving board bracket at stern.
Anchor
Constructed hydraulic anchor winch and controls.
Anchor drum fitted with 150’ of new 1” nylon rope and
80’ of galvanized ½ chain.
Constructed new 300 lb. Anchor.
Paint
Chipped, needled gunned rust overall.
Applied Coroseal Rust Converter overall.
Appled two coats of Ameron primer and topcoat overall.
Painted bottom while in dry dock.
