The Oldest Flying Airplane in the US! 1909 Bleriot XI Hops at Old Rhinebeck

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  • Опубліковано 7 жов 2024
  • The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome's 1909 Bleriot XI is the oldest flying airplane in the United States. After a recently completed restoration, Chief Pilot Clay Hammond does some practice flights down the runway.
    www.oldrhinebeck.org
    Drone Videography: Patrick Walker
    Ground Videography and Editing: Michelle Walker
    #aviation #airplane #drone #flying #pilot

КОМЕНТАРІ • 22

  • @TimDocHarper
    @TimDocHarper 5 місяців тому +4

    Great to see her flying still! Back in the '70s, I was the chief flight instructor up at Columbia County airport. At a FAA 141 Chief Instructor clinic, I met and (for some lucky reason) was befriended by Dave Fox, then Cole's Chief Pilot. As a result I got to fly many of the aircraft at old Rhinebeck (not the Beleriot or the really old a/c) Ended up flying the Pitcairn in a few of the '30s shows. (Fun enough, at the time I was also flying mail in Beech 18s) To this day I consider that time to be the highlight of a long aviation career.

    • @WalkAero
      @WalkAero  5 місяців тому

      That's wonderful Tim! If you still live in the area you should come visit again.

  • @Danpstew1
    @Danpstew1 8 місяців тому +1

    I agree. beautiful piece of Aero History ! Thank you for sharing.

    • @WalkAero
      @WalkAero  5 місяців тому +1

      Glad you enjoyed!

  • @billroberts3864
    @billroberts3864 11 місяців тому +2

    Beautiful piece of airplane history. Thanks for giving a short flying demo.

    • @patrickwalker9706
      @patrickwalker9706 11 місяців тому

      Glad you enjoyed it! Come see it in person if you’re ever in the area

  • @JB-uj3qm
    @JB-uj3qm 3 місяці тому +1

    This looks like the trainer version, short wingspan. I think they called them Penguins.

    • @WalkAero
      @WalkAero  3 місяці тому

      This one actually has the full length wingspan. It's the lack of power from the 100+ year old engine that kept if from getting any higher on these flights.

  • @mustangandfrankenstein
    @mustangandfrankenstein 3 місяці тому +1

    Wow look at that..that is the koolest thing ever invented in its time and flight even only inches of the ground must have been explosive and exciting..i love it

    • @WalkAero
      @WalkAero  3 місяці тому

      It truly is! To think it was capable of flying across the English Channel too!

  • @jerrybryant4489
    @jerrybryant4489 10 місяців тому +1

    Pretty cool. But I think the second generation Wright flyer had longer flight times.

    • @WalkAero
      @WalkAero  5 місяців тому

      But it was brand new at the time...at 100+ years the engine doesn't make a whole lot of power

  • @cratecruncher4974
    @cratecruncher4974 3 місяці тому +1

    Looks like the old girl went to the chiropractor. The hump in her back is disappearing. Imagine crossing the English Channel in this contraption.

    • @WalkAero
      @WalkAero  3 місяці тому +1

      Good eye! During the restoration all the bracing wires on the fuselage were re-tensioned to straighten it out.

    • @cratecruncher4974
      @cratecruncher4974 3 місяці тому

      @@WalkAero I'm scratch building a 1/48 model of this plane right now and my longerons aren't perfectly straight either.🤣

    • @WalkAero
      @WalkAero  3 місяці тому

      @@cratecruncher4974 It's hard to keep such small longerons straight. I am sure none of the originals stayed straight long either

  • @KevinMitchell-i2v
    @KevinMitchell-i2v 5 місяців тому +1

    Just think, we went from this to the first F-15 in 63 years

    • @WalkAero
      @WalkAero  5 місяців тому

      It is crazy when you think about it!

  • @Driedecker_Aviation
    @Driedecker_Aviation Місяць тому

    Pretty sure that isn’t the original bleriot

    • @WalkAero
      @WalkAero  Місяць тому

      It's not "the" original Bleriot if you are referring to serial #1 but this is an original Bleriot. Serial #56 specifically.

    • @Driedecker_Aviation
      @Driedecker_Aviation Місяць тому

      @@WalkAero oh, thanks for the info

  • @Barb5001
    @Barb5001 2 місяці тому +1

    I have been thee a few times. Actually, only a part if the tail and some of the landing gear was all they had to work with. Everything else are reproductions on this aircraft.