Some friends and I took a ride on Ford Tri-Motor 4-AT-E-69 today.
This aircraft was first delivered in 1930 to Transcontinental Air Transport.
It is now operated by the Experimental Aircraft Association and tours Midwest airports every summer. If you ever get a chance to take a ride it is not be be missed.
I bought a "right seat" (co-pilot) ticket and traded tickets with Bill Bakers grandson just as we entered the aircraft. As you can see he is having a lot of fun.
Ron the Coilman
Ron, I am envious and jealous. Great ride in historic vehicle (airplane).
Sam
Sorry that should read Eastern Air transport...soon to be Eastern Airlines.
A generous gesture.
Did he get any stick time?
In 1976 (the bicentennial year) I flew my kids coast to coast, border to border in a flying club Cessna 182. We landed at Put-In-Bay, in Lake Erie, and rode to the mainland and back in a Tri-Motor that was still in registered scheduled service. I sat in the copilot's seat going to the mainland, and my 11-year-old son sat there going back. I got to take the controls briefly, and it flew like a big wet sponge. The wheel was varnished wood, probably out of an old Lincoln. It was weird to slide the window open and check the starboard engine instruments hung on the support pylon. The Cessna was much faster, and MUCH quieter. Fantastic experience!
Gil Fitzhugh, Morristown, NJ
Pretty cool Ron. Bill Baker has a very lucky grandson, it was very nice thing for you to do.
Gilbert,
The cool factor far outweighs speed and quietness.
Good work, Ron.
For a little 1932 perspective:
Ron
I flew in that plane a couple of years age, what a treat! I was amazed at how much work it is to fly, kind of like a Model T, it requires constant attention by the operator.
Ron, at 83 years old, my father still had his pilots license. He flew this same plane at Lunken airport for his birthday present several years ago. I have a photo of him flying it from the right seat. He died at 85, but told me the ride, and brief time at the controls was the birthday of his life. Im glad you got to do the same!
Nothing gets up my exhaust more than knowing somebody else has flown in a Trimotor and I havn't. It's numero uno on my bucket list. The last time we were in the states this aircraft was having its annual check up. I just keep buying Lotto tickets. All I could do was to buy myself a toy one, a ride would have been cheaper.
Ron, my Mrs. and I took a ride on that same bird a couple months ago. There's nothing like it Riding in a plane that's only 2 years younger than my T is quite an experience.
We're talking about the original 'fly by wire' here.
I too was in the co-pilot's seat some years ago during the Iola Military Show and the Tri-Motor, from Oshkosh, was there also.
Watching the pilot while landing was quite the experience!.......
Doug - check into their schedule on the internet - they may come close to where you live, and if so, you can sure take a ride in it!
Ron, My middle son called last night and talked me into taking a ride in the tri-motor. WOW, was great.
Could not talk better half into a ride. Does take one back in time, again.
Sam