Visit to Rhinebeck

Took a weeks vacation with my wife to go to the east coast and see the famed Rhinebeck Aerodrome.
Trained in from Indy to Chicago-8 hour layover there so took in a Cub's game, then on to Albany and a short train ride from there to RhineBeck. Stayed in a nice B&B. Picked up a car from Rent a Wreck and settled down for a great weekend of watching the old planes fly. Only it was not to be-wind kept them all grounded. Got to see some up close and personal though and talk to some of the pilots.
Though I didn't get to see the planes fly it was still an enjoyable week.

Regards,
Steve

Sorry you didn't get to see them fly. My in laws live near the field and we go there all the time. The sound of the engines is fantastic. Rhinebeck is a nice little town - glad you enjoyed your stay and hope you can make it back again soon !

Best Wishes - John

Steve, Sorry you missed the show. Hope they at least revved the engines for you.Been several times.Took the open cockpit flight.Great show.Lots of fun.Read where they sold some of their planes to a museum. What types did they have in flying condition? Might go again this year.Has anyone been to their "Pioneer Day" show?What planes do they fly that day?

Don't know what happened to my original reply, but here goes again...

Shall we try for 3 ? The best time to visit is in the fall. This year Pioneer Day is on 22/23 September weekend. They'll fly all the pioneers they have weather permitting - Bleriot XI (with a rebuilt undercarriage destroyed in last years last show), 1911 Hanriot, Curtiss Pusher and Caudron G.III. That same weekend, the American Society of Aviation Artists (visit their web site www.asaa-avart.org) will be there with a display of about 30 original paintings and they will be painting all day both days around the field. If you go you'll recognize some of the paintings on display as the cover art from Over the Front. I coordinate the gathering. If you ned more information, feel free to contact me! -Mike

Thanks Mike. That does look interesting. Steve, as the most recent visitor,can you tell me which planes they had ready to go on WWI day? They change regularly presumably due to flyability and now I understand they have sold at least one to a museum for a tidy sum. Used to have a Camel and a Pup flying but haven't seen them in the air in years. Any one know status?

Bob -
I was there about a month ago and they are using the same aircraft as last year. The Albatros D.V, Fokker Triplane, Nieuport 11, Sopwith Camel, Fokker D.VII, the AVRO 504 and the recently refurbished Jenny. The Jenny was not yet flight tested when I was there, but they hoped to have it ready for the June 15 weekend. They also fly the Davis D.1W during the WW I show and used to fly the Stampe SV4, but it was recently wrecked by a non-ORA pilot. They attempt to fly one of the pioneer aircraft every weekend weather permitting, but Pioneer weekend in Sept they'll drag 'em all out for a flight.

-Mike

Mike, Thanks a lot. That was really helpful. I probably am going this Summer based on your info.Was afraid they had gotten rid of some of their goodies. Love to watch that Nieuport fly and haven't seen the Camel in quite some time. Now I just have to work out a date with my Son and/or my Grandsons and we are off! Thanks again. Really appreciate it.

Sorry for not replying sooner, but I have been out of town taking my father-in-law to Mayo's. Seems the questions asked were pretty much answered by the other interested parties and to them I give a hearty 'thank you'.

They really have some beautiful aircraft and I would loved to seen them in the air. According to one of the pilots to whom I spoke, there are some questions as to if the Bleriot will actually fly since the repairs after the crash. It seems that the pilot had to replace the broken propeller and it isn't up to the task. Barely gets it off the ground on a good day. Also, the Camel, though it has a proper rotary engine isn't a really 'spot on' repro. I couldn't really say exactly what was different about it, but had mentioned to my wife that it wasn't really a great copy-even before one of the pilots admitted such.

They gave us 'rain checks'(or should I say 'wind checks), so I hope to return at some later date.

Reagrds,
SteveD