The New Standard was designed specifically to replace the war-surplus types that had been used for barnstorming, etc. between WWI and 1930 (hence the name). I'd always thought this example was built in 1929 when the design first appeared, but it was built in NJ in 1937. So she's eight years younger than I thought. But she's over 60, and that's good enough for me!
A quick, smooth run along the grass, then we're off. Here's a view south as we barrel out towards the Hudson River.
There are four passenger seats available, but only three were filled for this flight: me and... whoever these people are.
The little details of open-cockpit barnstorming: stainless-steel flying wires, a big tire with damp grass stuck to it, and a mix of dirt and oil spattered on the wing... as the world scrolls by at just the right altitude to feel comfortable yet see everything clearly.
Had to lean out and get this view of the very reliable Continental 220 doing its thing... the sound and the smell of that exhaust, with just a touch of oil... the perfect tonic.
Typical flight takes us out over the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge for a few chandelles... that's Kingston Airport there near the western footing of the bridge, and the Catskill Mountains beyond that, lurking in the mist. I had on only a T-shirt (they had no sweatshirts in stock at the gift shop- d'oh!- but sitting right behind the firewall, with that big coaming curling up around me, I was very comfortable.
On the "crosswind" leg of the approach: I noticed when we landed that the pilot brought it down into that crook and banked slightly to flare just after the strip straightens out- with no wind, our groundspeed was fairly high.
Wires singing, engine puttering at idle, she settles smoothly on the damp grass... it's over, dammit.
What a sweet old friend she is.
Shot some decent video of this flight, coming soon to YouTube.
