Two days ago, I had an interesting flight. The EAA has been flying 2 of these around the country, stopping at various cities and offering rides to the public.
For $75, I got a ticket. I thought that was quite a bargain, considering the cost of flight these days.
We took off from Sacramento’s Executive Airport for an 18 minute flight around the city.
I think the Trimotor was historic for being one of the first true airliners (not a mail plane that could haul passengers). But between the Depression and the coming DC-2 I think it had a pretty short service life.
They built 199 of them.
BTW I thought it looked very similar to the German Junkers JU-52 . I learned that the main designer, William Stout (whose company Henry Ford bought) – copied German Professor Hugo Junkers ideas for all-metal aircraft.
I asked one of the docents where you get parts for a 90 year old engine – and he said that they were P & W Wasps – (I think even the venerable Stearman had them) – parts were readily available.
So thanks to my trusty iPhone 6 SE you can ride with me – from start up to the 18 minute flight.










