Take a flight

An historical visitor is coming to the Smyrna Airport and you might want to drop by and visit. The plane is a Ford Tri-Motor. Yes Ford. Known mostly for their trucks and cars, they did dabble in other fields. This is one of 199 ever built.

Between 1927 and 1931, Ford Motor Co. built 199 Ford Tri-Motor airplanes for passenger service, said Dave Swindler of the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association. One of the last three believed to be in flying condition will land at Smyrna Airport Sept. 14 for a four-day stop.*

I liked how the Daily New Journal phrased it "One of the last three believed to be in flying condition". If it is just "believed" to be in flying condition then why would they sell tickets to fly in it? I want them to be assured that it is in flying condition.

Each day it is here, the Tri-Motor will take passengers, including Swindler, on a 15-minute ride over Smyrna. Regular seats — all with a window — are available for $50 each. Co-pilot flights are $100. Reservations can be made by calling (8008) 843-3612, or by visiting the plane's Web site, www.flytheford.org.

A bit costly for a 15 minute trip, but historically inclined people would think it's a good deal.

High Flight

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds – and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of – wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hovering there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.

Up, up, the long delirious burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew –
And while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

John Gillespie Magee
1922-1941