Rhinebeck Museum trouble

Bob Laske · 18 April 2009, 03:01 PM

Just backtracking the ORA website and it seems like only a couple of years ago it was updated at least once a month with either works in progress, happenings during the week or comprehensive information on a particular aircraft or engine which would keep the world aware of what was going on at the aerodrome. Has the BOD dismissed the value of their website or do they want payment for such updates or is nothing really happening? I just find it curious that the Airshow Director of Old Rhinebeck has updated the link to the airshows he advertises on Long Island - complete with a version of the Flying Farmer and Big Wheel Bike and a song linked to the Cole Palens Flying Circus Video, while Old Rhinebeck still wallows in a schedule from over a year ago. Where are the priorities?

You might Google The Grand Old Airshow to see what I mean since I can't add a link on this forum.

SteveS · 18 April 2009, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Laske

Just backtracking the ORA website and it seems like only a couple of years ago it was updated at least once a month with either works in progress, happenings during the week or comprehensive information on a particular aircraft or engine which would keep the world aware of what was going on at the aerodrome. Has the BOD dismissed the value of their website or do they want payment for such updates or is nothing really happening? I just find it curious that the Airshow Director of Old Rhinebeck has updated the link to the airshows he advertises on Long Island - complete with a version of the Flying Farmer and Big Wheel Bike and a song linked to the Cole Palens Flying Circus Video, while Old Rhinebeck still wallows in a schedule from over a year ago. Where are the priorities?

You might Google The Grand Old Airshow to see what I mean since I can't add a link on this forum.

More than happy to post it for you.

Grand Old Air Show

Well I’m glad that someone else noticed some peculiar things about the Grand Old Air Show website. Not to take anything away from this event held on Long Island, but…

… it could be me (but probably not), but some of these photos look very much like they were taken in …. well…Rhinebeck? Not to mention some of the planes should look very familiar. Yes, they are privately owned but after making sure they feature prominently at ORA, is it fair to pull them away to other shows leaving ORA with “gaps” in the shows.

Needless to say the August 15th and 16th airshows at ORA might be lacking.

And while I’m on the subject, how come bios of “these” aircraft owners (who are big wigs at ORA) don’t even mention that they fly at ORA on other airshow websites. Not even a link to promote ORA! You would think after all they (and everyone else) went through to get to the top, they would be proud to be associated with the name “Cole Palen” and Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. Hmm, guess not.

At this point I wonder if anyone in charge even knew the man.

Salute,
Steve

tazbat · 18 April 2009, 09:15 PM

It's still the same BOT's lopsided attitudes. They can't even update the Show Schedule page. But, maybe they are too busy with other priorities to even remember they have a Show Schedule.

I agree that some of the photos on the Grand Old Air Show website look very much like Rhinebeck. Like the rockte powered bicycle, and the big wheel bike. The Flying farmer photo by the tree line looks like ORA. Is it false advertising to say these were from past GOAS if they were taken in Rhinebeck? Hmmmm!

Maybe they just believe in the old David Hannum saying that "A sucker is born every minute."

Lastly, the lackadaisical attitude of the BOT of the last few years is still jeopadizing what was once a great and wonderous air show. You don't see kids and adults alike riveted to the activities on the ground and in the skies over Rhinebeck. Now people start leaving before the show is over. The announcer at one show I attended was getting all excited about what wasn't goning on, but as though it was. It all speaks volumes about the way ORA is managed.

Salute!

Bob Laske · 19 April 2009, 03:54 PM

I just think it's deplorable that the man entrusted with the daly goings on at Old Rhinebeck can ignore his duties as far as presenting a worthwhile airshow close to what the public deserves while scavenging and picking apart Cole Palens dream for his benefit like it was road kill or carrion there for him to claim as his own. I'm disgusted. For the record, according to the ORA website, they'll be open in 2008. Buy a time machine.

Oswald · 19 April 2009, 05:07 PM

I am not aware of the BOT current plans for the website. The current web designer charges the aerodrome for every update they make to the website, no matter how small. I personally think that the aerodrome could do much better in the web designer category, and I would think it could find someone willing to update or modify the site for free or cheap, but ORA and the current web-master have a contract, the terms of which I'm not aware of. I do know it can take several weeks for an update to be made once requested. As I am aware, some of the Trustees are very displeased with the current state of the website, and others are not. As to the grand old air show. I have no idea what effect those air shows will have on ORA's air shows, and share your concerns, and will see if i can find out anything about this.

-Oswald

SteveS · 20 April 2009, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oswald

I am not aware of the BOT current plans for the website. The current web designer charges the aerodrome for every update they make to the website, no matter how small. I personally think that the aerodrome could do much better in the web designer category, and I would think it could find someone willing to update or modify the site for free or cheap, but ORA and the current web-master have a contract, the terms of which I'm not aware of. I do know it can take several weeks for an update to be made once requested. As I am aware, some of the Trustees are very displeased with the current state of the website, and others are not. As to the grand old air show. I have no idea what effect those air shows will have on ORA's air shows, and share your concerns, and will see if i can find out anything about this.

-Oswald

First of all, thank you for your communications with us and your willingness to try to explain some of the shortcomings of the BOD.

While you are inquiring about a conflict with the Grand Old Air Show in August you might also ask about one with the first air show weekend.

According to the front page of the ORA website, the opening air show of the 2009 season is Saturday, June 13th. Over on the Iron Eagle website there is also a booked engagement on June th along with June 27th/28th.

Iron Eagle Aerobatics - Schedule

As in the past, the loss of pilot Bill Gordon (and or others) at ORA on these dates will undoubtedly cause the shows to be substandard (even by post 2003 standards). One has to wonder how they will deal with these conflicting dates and the effect on the shows. I don’t think it fair to the paying public to pay full price for half a show.

Salute,
Steve

AAC Cadet Leader · 20 April 2009, 10:56 AM

note that a few of those copyrighted photos in the grand old airshow slideshow were obviously taken at ORA by aviation photographer, edward pascuzzi in 2007 as it clearly says on his photos. my guess is that were likely lifted off the web without his permission and transfered into the grand old airshow's database. i wonder if pascuzzi is aware of this. this practice is very deceptive to the public as well.

Edward Pascuzzi Photo's No Longer In Database? — Aviation Photography Forum | Airliners.net

oswald,
thanks for your communication and positive efforts.

Bob Laske · 20 April 2009, 11:07 AM

Hello Oswald,
First off, thank you for being willing to communicate with the Aerodrome community so candidly. With that in mind I don't think you can blame the webmasters for the lack of updates. I assume they can only post when they are provided with content and thus far, there hasn't been much worth reporting. As for charging for their efforts, it's only reasonable that they be paid for their work. As a whole, the website is very nice and in the past, updates were posted on a timely basis. The way I see it, either there is nobody at the Aerodrome who cares enough to keep the public updated, or there is nothing going on.

Arkonbey · 21 April 2009, 06:03 PM

So, I've decided to take my dad to the first show at Old Rhinebeck this season. He's been before, I never have, and I'm the one planning this. I've wanted to go to OR with him for a while now.

So, the thread here is a bit confusing, but, is it still worth going?

SteveS · 21 April 2009, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arkonbey

So, I've decided to take my dad to the first show at Old Rhinebeck this season. He's been before, I never have, and I'm the one planning this. I've wanted to go to OR with him for a while now.

So, the thread here is a bit confusing, but, is it still worth going?

No matter what you read in this thread, its always worth a trip to Old Rhinebeck. Otherwise we wouldn't be here complaining about a couple bad apples that are diluting Cole Palen's vision of what a "Living Museum" should be.

You might say this is all about protecting ORA for all the generations to come.

Salute,
Steve