Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome’s 51st season opens June 12 with a barnstorming air show featuring pioneer antique airplanes. Then on Sunday, June 13, there 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 New York museum and grounds open at 10 a.m. daily, with air shows planned for 2 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 17. Come early and browse through four hangars of antique airplanes, automobiles and related artifacts of the 1900-1940 period.
“June will be a great month because our opening weekend coincides with the Antique Motorcycle Association’s Grand Super Meet at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds on June 11-13. Then the Good Guys Rod and Custom Car Show will be held there on June 25-27,” said Hugh Schoelzel, president of Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Air Shows. “We ‘wing nuts’ share common DNA with the ‘gear heads’ who attend those events, so we offer a $5 discount at our gate to encourage motorcycle and custom car enthusiasts to take in both venues.”
For Father’s Day on June 19 and 20, a special admission and biplane ride combination for dads will be offered for $75. The Aerodrome’s 1929 New Standard biplane accommodates four in its open passenger compartment.
On Aug. 14-15, Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome will host artists, photographers and writers from the area with displays and opportunities to create works with antique aviation themes. Professionals will conduct “how to” seminars in aerial photography on Aug. 15. “The newly refurbished Fokker DVII in its historic paint scheme by air show announcer/ artist Al Loncto is sure to be a favorite subject,” said Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum President Mike DiGiacomio. “The renovation took two years, under the direction of Aerodrome Director of Maintenance and chief pilot Bill Gordon and his team of volunteers.”
For more information: OldRhinebeck.org
