The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is bringing the first-ever mass produced airliner to Brockport’s Ledgedale Airpark August 18 through 21, and the public is invited to take a flight.
The Ford Tri-Motor 5-AT flew its first flight on December 1, 1928. It was sold to Transcontinental Air Transport (TAT, the logo that graces the aircraft’s fuselage today) in January 1929 where it became NC9645 and was named City of Wichita. It inaugurated westbound transcontinental commercial air service on July 7, 1929, with sister ship City of Columbus. In April 1931, ownership of the aircraft was transferred to Transcontinental and Western Air (TWA). Here the aircraft helped in the development of TWA’s route system.
The aircraft has a storied history, having changed ownership several times. It provided sightseeing tours with Boulder Dam Tours and flew in Honduras and Nicaragua for a time. It was damaged in an accident in January 1954 and put in storage.
In July 1964, it was purchased by Nevada’s William F. Harrah of Harrah’s Hotel and Casinos. Harrah began an extensive seven year renovation, bringing the aircraft back to airworthy status and restoring the corrugated skin. The aircraft had its first post-restoration flight in 1971 and flew in Reno several times before being moved to static display as part of Harrah’s automobile collection. After Harrah’s death, parts of his collection, including this aircraft, were auctioned off in June 1986.
The Ford has called the Liberty Aviation Museum in Port Clinton, Ohio, its home since 2014. EAA and the Liberty Aviation Museum are working together to showcase the historic aircraft around the country for all to enjoy.
Families are invited to visit and learn all about the aircraft and the EAA organization. Viewing the aircraft is free, so be sure to bring a camera along.
Public flights are available from 2 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 18, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, August 19 through 21. Advance online pricing is $80 for adults, $55 for children 17 and under. Walk up pricing is $85 for adults, $55 for children. To make reservations, visit http://flytheford.org or call 1-877-952-5395.
Revenues from the Ford Tri-Motor tour help cover maintenance and operations costs for the aircraft and aid the mission to keep the “Tin Goose” flying for many years to come.
Ledgedale Airpark (7G0) is located at 21 Eisenhauer Drive, Brockport.
For more information about the history of the Ford Tri-Motor and the tour, visit http://flytheford.org.
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