I saw a recent post from AOPA about a fire at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. The gift shop and model aircraft building was destroyed, but thanks to quick action by an early morning jogger and an early-arriving employee the antique and replica aircraft were saved, including the original 1909 Bleriot.
I was privileged to visit Old Rhinebeck back in the late 1970's when Cole was still flying some of the exhibition. I got to see the Bleriot fly (actually more of a straight line hop, understandable considering its wing-warping lateral control). I noticed that on either side of the runway were three rows of telephone poles sitting on concrete blocks, so after the show I went over and asked Cole about them. He said that because his planes did not have brakes and could easily ground-loop, the first row was to take off the prop, the second to take off the gear, and the third to stop what's left before it could hit the audience.
I was privileged to visit Old Rhinebeck back in the late 1970's when Cole was still flying some of the exhibition. I got to see the Bleriot fly (actually more of a straight line hop, understandable considering its wing-warping lateral control). I noticed that on either side of the runway were three rows of telephone poles sitting on concrete blocks, so after the show I went over and asked Cole about them. He said that because his planes did not have brakes and could easily ground-loop, the first row was to take off the prop, the second to take off the gear, and the third to stop what's left before it could hit the audience.
