Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome plans to fly its Ryan NYP Spirit of St. Louis replica approximately 1,250 miles from New York to Lakeland, Florida, ahead of a SUN ’n FUN appearance commemorating the centennial of Charles Lindbergh’s 1927 solo nonstop transatlantic flight. The aircraft is scheduled to depart in early November 2026 and spend the winter at Lakeland Linder International Airport. It will participate in flying and static displays during the SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo, April 14–19, 2027, preceding the flight’s 100th anniversary on May 20–21. According to the Aerodrome, flying the replica south avoids the difficult disassembly and potential damage associated with transporting it by road.
The journey will bring an aircraft familiar to Old Rhinebeck’s airshow audiences well beyond its home field. It also provides an opportunity for visitors in Florida to see a flying recreation of the airplane Lindbergh piloted from Roosevelt Field on Long Island to Le Bourget, near Paris.
The replica’s story began with Aerodrome founder Cole Palen, who initiated the project before his death in 1993. Craftsman Ken Cassens subsequently brought it to completion, studying the original aircraft at the Smithsonian Institution through measurements, drawings and photographs. Cassens first flew the replica in December 2015. oldrhinebeck.org Vintage Aviation News previously explored the aircraft’s distinctive handling in “Flying a Legendary Airplane, the Ryan NYP Spirit of St. Louis”. In that feature, Moreno Aguiari spoke with Old Rhinebeck’s Clay Hammond about operating an airplane whose design offers no conventional forward windshield. Hammond explained how the pilot uses peripheral vision through the side windows during takeoff, looks through the overhead skylight during turns, and employs a sideslip on approach to see the runway. Those characteristics offer a practical connection to the demands of Lindbergh’s original aircraft, allowing audiences to appreciate the design through its operation.
The planned Florida appearance will extend that educational role during the centennial year, connecting the historic crossing with the craftsmanship and flying skills that keep its replica airborne. Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome will publish further information about the journey on its Spirit of St. Louis to SUN ’n FUN project page.
