Stinson L-5 Sentinel

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Stinson. Model: L-5. Nickname: Sentinel
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Airplane SE Piston
> FAA Category and Class: Airplane SE Land
> Engine Description: Single engine

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 11/7/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 2.2
> Number of Times Flown: 2
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: none

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 188
> Date First Flown: 7/6/2022
> Location First Flown: Oshkosh, WI (KOSH)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: Charles Rook, Joint Liaison Formation Committee (JLFC)

Recollections: The L-5 Sentinel, an older brother to my L-19 Birddog, served with distinction in WWII.  I have flown in one twice, as a JLFC instructor teaching formation.  The airplane is informally called “the Flying Jeep” and it handles well and feels quite stout.  There are artisans who keep these pieces of history flying, ensuring their plywood box spars and wood ribs & skin are in good shape.  

Some Sentinels are equipped with a large door that opens along the right side of the aircraft behind the pilot which allows for a stretcher (and patient) to be carried. The designers did a great job with this, including having a sufficiently expansive center of gravity envelope (not an easy design task).