Popular Ford Tri-Motor Refurbished For Airplane's 75th
Anniversary
Pioneer Airport, EAA's popular
re-creation of a 1930s aerodrome complete with grass runway, opens
the 2004 spring flying season this weekend at the EAA AirVenture
Museum in Oshkosh. Visitors are invited to come take part in
special programs as well as many vintage airplanes on display and
in the air on May 1-2.
They are also encouraged to participate in an ultimate
interactive museum experience by purchasing a flight in one of
these rare airplanes. One of those magnificent aircraft, EAA's 1929
Ford Tri-Motor, will be specially featured this year as is
celebrates its 75th anniversary. In honor of its diamond jubilee
year, the airplane was completely refurbished, including a
refreshed paint coating compliments of Gulfstream Aviation's
Appleton (WI) Service Center.
"Pioneer Airport is a facility like few others in the world,"
said Adam Smith, AirVenture Museum Director. "It is a place where
early aviation can be not only savored by seeing these magnificent
airplanes, but also experienced first-hand, as visitors can enjoy
flights in vintage aircraft that bring the golden age of early
aviation to life. As part of EAA's mission to preserve aviation
heritage, Pioneer Airport is truly a 'field of dreams' for aviation
enthusiasts."
EAA Founder and Chairman Paul Poberezny established Pioneer
Airport in 1984 as a working airport that harkens back to the
barnstorming days of 1920s and '30s. Other airplanes on flight
status for the start of the 2004 Pioneer Airport flying season
include a 1929 Travel Air E4000 open-cockpit biplane; a Bell 47
bubble-front helicopter; and EAA's Spirit of St. Louis replica.
Aircraft available for museum visitor flights will be listed at
Pioneer Airport's welcome hangar each day. Aircraft flight fees are
in addition to regular museum admission.
In addition, EAA Young Eagles flights are offered free of charge
for young people ages 8-17 (parent/guardian signature required) and
Pioneer Airport will unveil several new hangar layouts for visitors
to enjoy and discover their favorite aircraft.
A number of vintage aircraft pilots plan to bring their
airplanes to the opening weekend festivities as well, including
members of the Ercoupe and Piper Cub owners clubs.
As a special bonus for Oshkosh-area visitors, EAA has formed a
partnership with Oshkosh Community Access Television (OCAT) for
Pioneer Airport's opening weekend festivities. This partnership
will mean free museum admission for OCAT supporters, along with
special offers that benefit both those museum visitors and OCAT's
local television programming efforts.
EAA's partnership with OCAT will allow current "Friends of OCAT"
cardholders to receive one free admission per cardholder, with five
dollars from every Pioneer Airport flight ticket sold benefiting
the local television channel's programming efforts. Museum visitors
may also purchase a Friends of OCAT card at the museum on May 1-2,
which also earns them a bonus gift of a free flight experience in
the EAA's full-motion F-16 MaxFlight simulator.
ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (05.02.24)
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