An airworthy, full-size replica of Charles Lindbergh’s iconic Spirit of St. Louis (Ryan NYP) landed in Lakeland following a 1,250-mile journey south from New York’s Hudson Valley. Operated by the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, the aircraft will spend the winter on display at the Florida Air Museum on the SUN ‘n FUN campus at Lakeland Linder International Airport.
The Journey & Arrival
- The Route: Because disassembling and trucking vintage aircraft risks structural damage, Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome chose to fly the plane down from its airfield in Red Hook, New York. The multi-day trip covered roughly 1,250 miles with several fuel stops.
- Support Crew: Two chase planes—a Daher Kodiak and an Aviat Husky—escorted the replica south, carrying mechanics, spare parts, and a documentation crew.
- Pilot Challenges: True to Lindbergh’s 1927 original, the replica has no forward windshield because the main fuel tank sits directly in front of the cockpit. Pilots rely on peripheral views out the side windows during takeoff and must perform a “sideslip” maneuver on final approach just to see the runway.
About the Aircraft
Built primarily by Ken Cassens using direct measurements from the original aircraft at the Smithsonian and first flown in December 2015, this reproduction is considered one of the most faithful in existence:
- Powerplant: It is powered by an original 99-year-old Wright Whirlwind engine—the exact same type that carried Lindbergh across the Atlantic.
- Period Details: It carries the famous
N-X-211registration and features reproduction 1920s flight instruments, differing from the original mainly in its modern Dacron fabric covering and a single 55-gallon fuel tank (compared to Lindbergh’s 450-gallon capacity).
Where & When to See It
- Winter Display: The aircraft is housed at the Florida Air Museum in Lakeland throughout the winter months, allowing visitors to inspect the cockpit and airframe up close.
- SUN ‘n FUN 2027: The visit leads up to the 53rd annual SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo (April 6–11, 2027), which will commemorate the 100th anniversary of Lindbergh’s May 1927 solo transatlantic flight. The replica is scheduled for static displays, daytime airshow appearances, and special sunset flights over Paradise City
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