Chantry Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 The only airplane or helicopter ride I ever enjoyed 5 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wild Eagle Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 OK, I'm a little jealous, but that had to have been way cool. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chantry Posted January 17 Author Share Posted January 17 11 hours ago, Wild Eagle said: OK, I'm a little jealous, but that had to have been way cool. It was and I hate to fly. I'm prone to motion sickness, dislike cramped spaces and I don't exactly fit well in coach. Every seat in a Tri-Motor is both an aisle and a window seat and at 5'11' and 250 pounds I fit comfortably in the seat. The window was fairly large and had it's own air vents to direct the air. Like many of the early civilian airliners, it way over built, mostly because aircraft designers were breaking new ground on virtually every design and because the landing strips of the era could be grass, gravel or pavement. There was at least one Tri-Motor that had a regular run until at least the 1970's, delivering cargo and carrying passengers, including school children among the islands of one of the Great Lakes. IIRC It was finally retired when the FAA began strongly hinting that it was time for the airline to ground the aircraft, probably because it lacked the equipment required on commercial passenger aircraft https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Trimotor and for those that might want to fly on a Tri-Motor: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Trimotor#Airworthy I know EAA does tours in the spring to fall when the weather is better: https://www.eaa.org/flight-experiences/fly-the-ford-eaa-ford-tri-motor-airplane-tour 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyesa Horg Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 We got to fly in one at Oshkosh, it was way fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 Seen one or two fly, but never rode one. My most enjoyable flight was in a Beech D-17 stagger wing. Luxurious and elegant 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene Slim SASS 81783 Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 (edited) 3 hours ago, Chantry said: It was and I hate to fly. I'm prone to motion sickness, dislike cramped spaces and I don't exactly fit well in coach. Every seat in a Tri-Motor is both an aisle and a window seat and at 5'11' and 250 pounds I fit comfortably in the seat. The window was fairly large and had it's own air vents to direct the air. Like many of the early civilian airliners, it way over built, mostly because aircraft designers were breaking new ground on virtually every design and because the landing strips of the era could be grass, gravel or pavement. There was at least one Tri-Motor that had a regular run until at least the 1970's, delivering cargo and carrying passengers, including school children among the islands of one of the Great Lakes. IIRC It was finally retired when the FAA began strongly hinting that it was time for the airline to ground the aircraft, probably because it lacked the equipment required on commercial passenger aircraft https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Trimotor and for those that might want to fly on a Tri-Motor: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Trimotor#Airworthy I know EAA does tours in the spring to fall when the weather is better: https://www.eaa.org/flight-experiences/fly-the-ford-eaa-ford-tri-motor-airplane-tour I bet it was noisy! Edited January 17 by Abilene Slim SASS 81783 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chantry Posted January 17 Author Share Posted January 17 2 hours ago, Abilene Slim SASS 81783 said: I bet it was noisy! Ear plugs helped, although I could have done without during the short flight. I wouldn't want to spend 8 hours flying without some hearing protection. And warm clothing during colder weather. It was built in 1926, creature comforts weren't exactly common in any form of transportation. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheyenne Ranger, 48747L Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 My Dad and I got to fly in one out of the old Houston International Airport (now Hobby Airport south of downtown Houston) Flew to downtown and back--about 30 minutes. Was back in late 60s. Noisy, but a great ride! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 Color me envious. Did you wear a period correct suit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chantry Posted January 17 Author Share Posted January 17 1 hour ago, Subdeacon Joe said: Color me envious. Did you wear a period correct suit? Nope, it was during the summer, so shorts and a t-shirt 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chantry Posted January 18 Author Share Posted January 18 I had to look it up, but it was only about 23 years between the Wright Brother's first flight and the Ford Tri-Motor entering service. I don't think the Wright Brothers could this with their airplane: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chantry Posted January 26 Author Share Posted January 26 Some comments from a long time Tri-Motor pilot 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 thats from an era when they still built with quality - attention to details , and in my mind reminiscent of the trains and automobiles that had class as well , love it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene Slim SASS 81783 Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 On 1/17/2024 at 7:28 PM, Chantry said: I had to look it up, but it was only about 23 years between the Wright Brother's first flight and the Ford Tri-Motor entering service. I don't think the Wright Brothers could this with their airplane: Perhaps not with their equipment, but they worked out virtually all the fundamentals of controlled flight in use today. Orville Wright taught my great-grandfather how to fly in 1911, and his signature is on his license. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 I would love to fly on one of the old Clippers. ❤️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.