Amid numerous reports of problems at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, a new story hitting the wires further indicates that things are in some turmoil at the much vaunted aero-historical landmark.

Christopher Rogine, 48, a volunteer at the Old Rhinebeck flight facility for many years, is being criminally charged with possession of stolen property after he attempted to sell an Apollo Command Module recovery parachute on eBay last month.

The eBay description noted that, "The condition is in perfect (sic). No rips, tears or discoloring. Have packaging paperwork. It has been confirmed that this is the main parachute of that historic mission 30 years ago."

Rogine claimed to have had legal possession of the chute for over 20 years, having allegedly been given the property by the late Cole Palen (who passed away a decade ago). He claimed he was selling the artifact in order to earn money to pay for an aircraft restoration.

Tipped to the attempted sale by an employee from the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, police were notified of the auction and subsequently affected an arrest of the Red Hook, NY native.

The chute was an authentic (if bulky) aerospace artifact, reportedly weighing over a hundred pounds. It was one of two offered to the Rhinebeck Museum by the Smithsonian, and was deployed (along with two other canopies) as part of the recovery sequence in a 1973 Skylab mission. That mission was crewed by Charles Conrad, Joseph Kerwin and Paul Weitz.

Rogine allegedly offered it on eBay for a starting bid of $9,500 and has been charged with felony possession of stolen property, as a result.

Unfortunately; this is the latest in a series of problems experienced by the Aerodrome, where some internal political issues have been raising a ruckus with Museum staff, volunteers and advocates for quite a while.

FMI: www.oldrhinebeck.org