The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in Red Hook, NY, is set to introduce guided air tours in its beautifully restored Stinson Detroiter, offering visitors a unique way to experience the Hudson Valley from the air. Previously used to give scenic tours over the Grand Canyon, the aircraft will soon carry guests on 30-minute flights highlighting lighthouses, historic mansions, and other points of interest along the Hudson River.
Unlike open-cockpit vintage aircraft, the Stinson Detroiter features an enclosed cabin that accommodates up to four passengers. Interior headsets allow guests to hear stories from the pilot and communicate comfortably with one another, while the cabin keeps out the chill, making flights enjoyable even in cooler weather. Limited tours will be available initially, with scheduling updates to be announced soon.
Flying was a family passion for the Stinsons. Katherine Stinson, the fourth licensed female pilot in the United States, earned her certificate in 1912, followed by her sister Marjorie in 1914, and brother Eddie in 1915. Eddie, a skilled test and exhibition pilot, founded the Stinson Aircraft Corporation in Dayton, Ohio, in 1920. By 1925, the company had relocated to Detroit, where Eddie developed the SB-1 cabin biplane and the highly successful SM-1 cabin monoplane, known as the “Detroiter,” in 1927. The SM-1 became popular with emerging airlines of the era, including Northwest, Braniff, and Delta. The Stinson factory produced various models until 1945, when it was absorbed by other aircraft manufacturers and ultimately integrated into Piper.
The current Stinson Detroiter at Old Rhinebeck has a storied history of its own. In 1972, John Seibold, founder of Scenic Airlines in Las Vegas, acquired the defunct Valle Airport near the Grand Canyon and began assembling a collection of vintage transport aircraft. Seeking to honor J. Parker Van Zandt, a pioneer of Arizona air tours, Seibold located a deteriorated Stinson SM-1 in a Pennsylvania barn in 1981 and entrusted its restoration to Chuck Wentworth. Over four years and more than 8,000 hours, Wentworth rebuilt the aircraft using factory plans and the original SM-1 as a reference, upgrading the original 220-horsepower Wright J-5 engine to a 300-horsepower Lycoming R-680. The plane was finished in Nevada Silver and adorned with the “The Rainbow Route” emblem, replicating Van Zandt’s 1927 Scenic Airways Inc. aircraft. Of the 15 originally built, this Detroiter is the sole survivor.
Donated to Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in the summer of 2023 by the John Seibold family and SJ Partners, a philanthropic organization led by Scott Johnson, the SM-1 features a panoramic heated cabin with seating for six, ideal for short or longer excursions in cooler weather. It joins the Aerodrome’s open-cockpit New Standard D-25, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience vintage flight over the scenic Hudson Valley in any season. For more information, visit www.oldrhinebeck.org.
