Flying the Ford Trimotor

loubetti

loubetti

Pays to fly
These photos date from July 2006, when the EAA's Trimotor was on tour and visited Caldwell, NJ (CDW). My partner and I went up for a ride ($100 per person), but I paid $50 extra to take right seat. Little did I realize that I would also get to fly it!

Frankly, it handled better than I expected it would. A bit sluggish on the control response, but not bad at all. Quite enjoyable to fly, even with the cockpit windows open. Takeoff, even with a full load of pax, was quick. The tail came right up and before I knew it we were airborne.

It does get hot in the cockpit, even more so on a July day, with that big, 550 HP radial engine in front of you (on the wings are 450 HP engines).

Our pilot, Ted Beckwith, is a retired Delta captain (and ex-USN F-4 pilot), and it certainly looks like he found a nice thing to do with his retirement along with his other flying endeavors. :)
 
Wow...just read through the EAA stuff about the airplane. Impressive history. I couldn't imagine taking 12 years to restore an airplane! Thank goodness for the EAA that we can have an airplane like that and it still FLY!
 
I grew up in Auburn Indiana and every year they host the worlds largest car auction. A Tri-motor was always in the skies during the festivities but I never took the time to go ride on her. I'm very, very jealous.
 
Just came through Atlanta a couple weeks ago. Didn't go up in it, but had I known I might have been able to fly it, I probably would have. Got some good pictures of it though. I was amazed at how quick she got airborne.
 
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