“EARLY DAYS OF AIR TRANSPORTATION COMES TO LAWRENCEVILLE WHEN EAA’S FORD TRI-MOTOR ARRIVES”

Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 690, located at Gwinnett County Airport, Lawrenceville, Georgia will host one of the few flying Ford Tri-Motor aircraft on its only visit to the Atlanta area. A classic aircraft from the early days of commercial air travel, the Ford Tri-Motor re-creates the romance of pre-jet air travel. The visit provides opportunities for aviation enthusiasts, grandparents, parents and kids alike to see and ride in the world’s first mass-produced airliner when the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) brings its restored 1929 Ford Tri-Motor airliner to Atlanta.

The Tri-Motor will be available for a daily schedule of flights at Lawrenceville’s Briscoe Field from the Aircraft Specialists Jet Center (south side) ramp, on Briscoe Blvd., from Thursday, August 30th through Monday, September 3rd from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

“This airplane allows people to experience true living history of aviation, as well as learn more about EAA and our mission to help people fully participate in the world of flight,” said Adam Smith, director of the EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, WI, where the airplane is based. “As we bring the airplane to this region of the country for the first time, thousands of people will get a rare glimpse of a unique flying machine that changed the way people travel in America.”

The Ford Motor Company built the Ford Tri-Motor, nicknamed the “Tin Goose,” in the late 1920s. EAA’s airplane underwent a 12-year restoration beginning in the 1970s and since the mid-1980s, has been based at the EAA museum’s historic Pioneer Airport. This facility is a faithful re-creation of an early aerodrome, including flying activities from a 2,000-foot grass airstrip.

The presence of such an historic aircraft of the past offers a unique opportunity for individuals, clubs, schools, home school and church groups, etc. to see and fly in this historic aircraft. At each tour stop, visitors will have the opportunity to take flights aboard this unique aircraft. Flights are available for $40 for EAA members and $50 for non-members. A secure flight-reservation system and complete information are available through EAA’s Tri-Motor tour web site at www.flytheford.org. You can also pre-book a flight by calling 1-800-843-3612. Most of the airports on the tour have not seen a Ford Tri-Motor on its runway for decades.

A pancake breakfast (Saturday), continental breakfast (Sunday) and light lunch and refreshments will be available on the weekend. All activities are open to the public. On Saturday evening, September 1st, the Chapter will host a spaghetti dinner. The Elgin Wells’ Trio will provide musical entertainment for the evening in the EAA Chapter building with the proceeds benefiting the Elgin Wells, Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Tickets are $15.00/person in advance, $20.00 at the door with reservations. For further information or reservations contact Lnor Levine at (678) 770-1877 or lnor_l@bellsouth.net.