Years ago, as a youth while visiting a small local airport with a friend and his father, I had the opportunity to go flying with a leather helmeted old timer like this fellow in a fabric covered plane. He had landed there unannounced and asked if anyone wanted to go for a ride. I jumped at the chance and afterwards my friend did as well.
I remember the excitement of being in the open cockpit and as we got it fired up and going, the engine and wind noise was significant, but it was all but blotted out within the experience of actually getting into the air in one of these old birds. I have not ridden in one of these historic aircraft since, but have always wanted to. Aircraft and aviation in general have always held a special interest to me, as my grandfather was a pilot/aircraft mechanic and had shared his enthusiasm and stories with me as I have with my son. Even in this modern world of easy intercontinental travel and with all the time I have logged in a airliner seat, there is something still very cool about leaving the sod behind in a plane to me.
Last year, my dad, father in law, son and I took a day trip up to the Rhinebeck Aerodrome in New York State http://www.oldrhinebeck.org/. It is an amazing museum and summertime airshow that is unparalleled with it's static and flying display of WWI and vintage aircraft. I believe they have the oldest still-flying aircraft in the world there.
Viewing this acrobatic performance is like stepping back in time to the old barnstorming displays of yesteryear with the sput-sput of the oily engines and the vintage clothing on display. After watching their airborne spectacle, we were able to tour the grounds and ran into this fellow, one of the 'aviators' who had just finished his flight. He was a very interesting and informative 80+ year old chap, who graciously took my then 8 year old son 'over the fence' for a personal first hand experience including putting him into the cockpit. Thanks to his kindness and generosity, there were smiles all around that day and special memories to be cherished just like my own all those years ago. I never got to know this guys name, but this photo, tinted to evoke that old time feeling, is a tribute to him and for his willingness to make our little guy smile from the heart.
