COLUMBUS, Ind. — The 1928 Ford Tri-Motor 5-AT-B, serial No. 8, flew its first flight on Dec. 1, 1928, according to the Experimental Aircraft Association.
Over 90 years later, the plane is still flying — and on Monday, a few select community members got to experience what it’s like inside of the vintage aircraft as part of a VIP flight.
Nine passengers got to ride on the “Tin Goose” (as Tri-Motors are sometimes called). According to Columbus Municipal Airport Director Brian Payne, this passenger list included individuals from Kenny Glass, Taylor Brothers, the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, Ivy Tech Community College – Columbus, the Heritage Fund – the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County, Force Construction, the Greater Columbus Economic Development Corp. and the airport.
This particular Ford Tri-Motor belongs to the Liberty Aviation Museum in Port Clinton, Ohio, and is leased to the Experimental Aircraft Association for tours. Ed Kornfield, an EAA pilot for the Tri-Motor, said that a tour stop in another town was canceled due to some problems with hangar availability, so the plane ended up making a pit stop in Columbus instead.
Kornfield and Payne said that there are plans to do a tour stop in Columbus on the last weekend in June. The event will likely take place over about three or four days and give members of the public a chance to ride the same Tri-Motor.
For the complete story, see Thursday’s Republic.
