Two weeks ago I received a note from a friend that said something about an historic airplane and an invitation to take a ride. There was no hesitation in my reply.

A Ford Tri Motor showed up at the Natrona County International Airport this last Wednesday. Yesterday it was prepared to take riders on a 20 minute flight through history. The Ford Tri Motor, sometimes referred to as the "Tin Goose", was built in 1929 and has had a storied history. Only 199 of the aircraft were ever built. This particular plane started out as an Eastern Airlines workhorse before being sold to Cubana Airlines followed by a stint as Air Force One for the Dominican Republic.

In 1949 it returned to the U.S. and went through various service from crop dusting to smoke jumping to barnstorming. This plane was also featured in the Jerry Lewis movie "The Family Jewels". In 1973 the aircraft sustained severe damage in a windstorm and was sold to EAA for an extensive restoration that took 12 years to complete. In 1985 the plane returned to the air sand since 1991 has been made available to fly passengers and teach the early history of aeronautics.

Now you have a chance to ride as well as the EAA offers up that opportunity to all comers. Flights happen for the next three days at the Natrona County International Airport.

Friday June 26th – 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday June 27th – 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday June 28th – 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Head to the Good Warbirds Hangar #1 – 8220 Fuller St, Casper, Wy 82604 and the folks there will be happy to answer any questions and schedule your flight. Cost is $75 Adult, $50 Child (17 and under) and under the age of 2 Free.

Here are a couple of videos from my flight over Casper including takeoff, in flight and landing all of which were a lot smoother than expected.

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