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

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

[@TimDocHarper]

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]

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

[@billroberts3864]

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

[@patrickwalker9706]

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

[@Danpstew1]

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

[@WalkAero]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@JB-uj3qm]

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

[@WalkAero]

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.

[@cratecruncher4974]

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]

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

[@cratecruncher4974]

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

[@WalkAero]

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

[@KevinMitchell-i2v]

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

[@WalkAero]

It is crazy when you think about it!

[@jerrybryant4489]

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

[@WalkAero]

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

[@Driedecker_Aviation]

Pretty sure that isn’t the original bleriot

[@WalkAero]

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

[@Driedecker_Aviation]

@@WalkAero oh, thanks for the info

[@Barb5001]

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.

[@mustangandfrankenstein]

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]

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