Early Days Of Flight Come To Pontiac With 1929 Ford Tri-Motor Airliner
PONTIAC (WWJ) - A classic aircraft from the early days of commercial air travel will recreate those memories this weekend as the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) brings its restored 1929 Ford Tri-Motor airliner to Oakland County International Airport in Pontiac from Thursday, Aug. 23 through Sunday, Aug. 26 as part of its 2012 tour.
The tour provides opportunities for aviation enthusiasts in the area to see and ride in the world's first mass-produced airliner. Some of the airports on the tour likely first saw a Ford Tri-Motor on their grounds 83 years ago.
"This airplane allows people to experience true living history of aviation, as well as learn more about EAA and our mission to help people fully participate in the world of flight," Rod Hightower, EAA president, said in a release. "Thousands of people will get a rare glimpse of a unique flying machine that changed the way people travel in America."
The Ford Tri-Motor, nicknamed the "Tin Goose," was built by the Ford Motor Company in the late 1920s. EAA's airplane underwent a 12-year restoration beginning in the 1970s and since the mid-1980s, has been based at the EAA AirVenture Museum's historic Pioneer Airport located in Oshkosh, Wis. This facility is a faithful re-creation of an early aerodrome, including flying activities from a 2,000-foot grass airstrip.
At each tour stop, visitors will have the opportunity to take 15-minute flights aboard this unique aircraft. Those flights are available for $80 per person, $40 for children age six to 17 and free to children under six when accompanied by a paying parent or legal guardian.
For flight reservations or more information, visit www.flytheford.org or call 1-877-952-5395.
