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David and his beloved Jenny at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, 10 years ago.

I found this photo in February while packing up the house in Pennsylvania (and managed to re-find it again after two subsequent moves). It’s not a quality picture; it’s a little too blurry and lacking in detail. But time has a way of making photos more precious than the sum of its emulsive parts. The reason I know it’s 1996 is because David had sent the film off to Seattle Film Works (remember them?), and they date-stamped everything. David’s idea of an archival system was, erm, completely lacking, but at least I know the age of THIS photo for certain.

You see, I’ve been trying to sort out how long David had been going to Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. I’ve been telling people at least 10 years, but I suspect it had been since the days he started flying RC model airplanes, which was sometime in the early ’90s. Maybe even as early as 1991. Our friend and former neighbour and David’s model-building partner, Bill, can’t remember, either.

Anyway, it’s a long time. David didn’t visit the Aerodrome solely for its airshows, or to tour the museum with Civil Air Patrol members and cadets, he attended RC model airplane events there, too.

some CAP folk taking in a biplane ride, 2004 — photo by David

Those who knew David well are probably not surprised that his ashes will be scattered over the Hudson Valley, above the Aerodrome. It was his Special Place. It doesn’t have the historical presence of a Smithsonian museum, with informative plaques and a replica of Amelia Earheart’s plane and Chuck Yaeger’s flight suit behind glass. But it’s a living museum of old airplanes from the days of barnstorming, and that was enough to bring David back year after year.

When I drove us to Rhinebeck in early September, David said, “This is what the inside of my head looks like.” We made jokes about building our retirement home along the same road so David could walk over and be a museum tour guide (Alan Highhouse acted out a funny story about this at the memorial). There was a tour guide there, but David whispered, “He doesn’t know his stuff!” and proceeded to give me his own personal tour. He got winded easily — the combination chemotherapy and twice-daily radiation taking its toll — but throughout the day his enthusiasm was unflagging.

When we were at Rhinebeck, it was very obvious to me why David loved this place so much. To try and explain it here, in this space, seems rather inadequate. So I invite you to go sometime, to see it for yourself — if you’re interested in early aviation, or if you knew David and would like a glimpse “inside his head” (but if you’d seen our garage, it’s a lot cleaner and with fewer parts lying around!).

The details for the scattering of David Fielding’s ashes are as follows:

Place: Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome
Directions: http://www.oldrhinebeck.org/directions.htm
Date: Tuesday, May 30 (David’s birthday)
Time: 2pm (weather permitting) [watch this space], potluck picnic to follow
ALL ARE WELCOME

As you can see in the above photo, the biplane is an open cockpit. It cannot be flown in the rain and if it’s windy, the pilot decides if it’s safe enough to fly. I’ve been watching the weather forecast for Rhinebeck like a hawk, and so far there’s only a 20% chance of rain. But Tuesday is still a ways off, and that could change. Fingers crossed, people!

If it’s raining in the morning and you would like to confirm whether the flyover is happening at 2pm or not, please phone me. (Update: see also this post.)

I understand it is a long drive for many, so if in doubt, phone to check. If you don’t have transportation to Rhinebeck, please e-mail me: gail [at] gailatlarge.com. I may have a seat or two free. I will leave Scranton around 10:00 to be in Rhinebeck around noon early on Tuesday morning.

Parking for the Aerodrome is across the road from the entrance gate. When you arrive at the gate, please tell them you’re there for David Fielding. I doubt there’ll be many other people around since it’s during the week and after Memorial Day, but if the weather is good, it could be a mixed crowd.

Following the flyover, we’ll have a potluck picnic in a tented area on the grounds. The concession isn’t open, so it’s important that everyone bring their own food (in coolers), utensils, and drinks. The airshows don’t start until June, but the grounds are open until 5pm. I welcome everyone to tour around the museum and soak in the atmosphere. We’ll have everything wrapped up by 5.

I’m bringing a videocamera to make a film of the day, but I would love to have other people help me put it together. (If you’ve got a movie or photo camera, please bring it!) I only have a recording of the first hour of David’s memorial at the Tripp House last December, and I’d like to hear and record some more “David stories”. The memorial was very moving, and I’m sure I’ll feel a rush of emotions at Rhinebeck, but I’m looking forward to Tuesday. It was David’s place, and it’s a special day. I hope to capture on camera his sense of adventure (a biplane ride!), camaraderie, and the simple joys of a grass strip and a whiff of engine oil (OK, maybe not on film) and a beautiful inviting blue sky.