Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 44, based at Brockport Airport, is hosting a three and a half day barnstorming visit by National EAA’s 1929 Ford Tri-Motor. The Ford was the first all-metal, multi-engine, mass-produdced airliner. Only 199 were built, three are still flying, and one of them will be offering rides to the Rochester community.
The once-in-a-lifetime event is June 23 through 26 at EAA 44’s Sport Aviation Center, 44 Eisenhauer Drive, Brockport. Pre-registered rides cost $70 adult/$50 child (17 and under). Reservations can be made until June 23 at FlytheFord.org or 877-952-5395. After that walk-ups cost $75/$50.
Other activities during the weekend include an Open House at the Sport Aviation Center, food trucks, exhibitors, vendors and a custom car display. The day-long event (Thursday, 2 to 5 p.m. and Friday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) is family friendly and free and open to the public (except for the Tri-Motor rides).
The Ford Tri-Motor was Henry Ford’s attempt to apply to aviation the mass production techniques learned producing the Model T (chronologically the Tri-Motor was produced between the Model T’s and Model A’s). Ford was instrumental in the birth of commercial aviation by building the first airline, the first airport terminals and hotels and radio navigation systems that all led eventually to Boeing 747’s and GPS today.
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