Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome has announced the beginning of its Golden Anniversary celebration and highlights of its 2009 show season.
A barnstorming air show on June 13, featuring pioneering antique airplanes, will open the season. Featured on June 14 will be mock dogfights between biplanes of The Great War and a cameo appearance by the evil Black Baron of Rhinebeck and his red 1918 DR-1 Fokker tri-plane. The museum and grounds open at 10 a.m. daily, with air shows at 2 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday through October 19.
“Part of our pioneer air show is a runway-hopping demonstration flight by the Aerodrome’s 1909 Bleriot XI that is 100 years old this year. It is the oldest original flying airplane in the United States,” said Hugh Schoelzel, president of Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome’s air shows. “We are also proud to feature one of the last flying original Curtis Jennys in the world.”
On June 6, at 8:30 a.m., there will be a re-enactment of Wilbur Wright’s Hudson River Tri-Centennial aerial exhibition, starting at Liberty Island in Manhattan. Later in the day the Old Rhinebeck biplanes will fly over parades of ships at Tarrytown, and at major ports along the Hudson River throughout the week.
On August 22, Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome will hold a “Girls with Wings” seminar for girls and young women to learn more about flying for recreation or a career. Women who are aviation professionals will conduct the seminar.
For information: www.oldrhinebeck.org
