Ford Trimotor Flight at Erie International Airport

On July 3, 2013, the EAA AirVenture Museum flew a Ford Trimotor (aka "Tin Goose") into Erie International Airport, and offered rides for $75 per seat. Normally, rides in vintage aircraft cost much more than $75, so Melanie and I jumped at the chance. We got about a 16-minute ride out to Presque Isle and around Presque Isle Bay. The experience of flying in an aircraft with three radial engines was definitely worth the investment, especially since it was a cool day, winds were light, and the visibility was unlimited with a little haze. Even with finely balanced propellers and 9-cylinder radial engines, the vibration level was very notable. Unless you are an airplane lover who responds to such stimulation the way a newborn baby responds to its mother's heartbeat, I can understand how hours-long flights might have been a bit wearisome for passengers of yesteryear.

I filmed the entire flight from beginning to end, but unfortunately the flight back and landing were lost due to a technical difficulty (i.e., cranial recutmitis on my part). However, the takeoff and flight out video survived.

A B-17 is due here on July 20, but at $375 per seat we'll have to settle for a walk through the airplane while it is on the ground. I'm still waiting for an opportunity to fly in a DC-3 / C-47. Maybe someday...

First are a couple photos, and then the video is below. Enjoy.

Ford Trimotor at Erie international Airport

Melanie with the Ford Trimotor

Passengers Boarding Ford Trimotor at Erie Int'l Airport

Presque Isle Bay from Ford Trimotor (see Brig Niagara)

I-79 Highway from Ford Trimotor (Erie, PA)

Ford Trimotor Flight Video at Erie International Airport

Posted July 13, 2013

Try Using
SEARCH
to Find
What You Need.
>1,600 Pages Indexed

About
Airplanes & Rockets

Kirt Blattenberger, Webmaster - Airplanes and Rockets

Kirt Blattenberger
Carpe Diem!
(Seize the Day!)

Even during the busiest times of my life I have endeavored to maintain some form of model building activity. This site has been created to help me chronicle my journey through a lifelong involvement in model aviation, which all began in Mayo, MD ...

Webmaster:
Kirt Blattenberger
BSEE - KB3UON
Family Websites:
RF Cafe | Equine Kingdom

All trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other rights of ownership to images and text used on the Airplanes and Rockets website are hereby acknowledged.

Modeling Resources

Academy of Model
Aeronautics

Tower Hobbies

Horizon Hobby

Sig Mfg

Brodak Mfg