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Spirit of St. Louis Reproduction Flies at Old Rhinebeck
By Tim Haggerty
December 10, 2015 - The Spirit of St. Louis reproduction started by Cole Palen in the 1970s made its first flight on December 5 at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in New York.
Aerodrome pilot and aircraft restorer Ken Cassens, who piloted the Spirit of St. Louis reproduction, said there were no surprises and the flight was “uneventful, which is a good thing.”
Aerodrome pilot and aircraft restorer Ken Cassens, who piloted the Spirit of St. Louis reproduction, said there were no surprises and the flight was “uneventful, which is a good thing.”
The reproduction project faced many challenges since its inception and was not completed before Palen passed away in 1993.
In 1996, Cassens picked up where the project was left off with help and materials, including duplicates of some of the instruments used by Lindbergh, from the National Air and Space Museum.
“It’s gratifying that it flew and I hope it keeps flying successfully,” Cassens said.
The Spirit of St. Louis reproduction is scheduled to be debuted publicly on May 21, 2016 at a gala event marking the 89th anniversary of Lindbergh’s arrival in Paris.
From all of us at EAA to our good friends at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, congratulations on this exciting accomplishment!
