The Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Center is thrilled to announce a rare opportunity to experience flight aboard the legendary 1928 Ford Tri-Motor, affectionately known as the “Tin Goose.” Coming to southwest Michigan from the Liberty Aviation Museum in Port Clinton, Ohio, this historic aircraft will be offering rides September 12–14, 2025, at the Air Zoo’s Flight Discovery Center, located at 3501 E Milham Avenue in Portage, Michigan.
The Ford Tri-Motor was the world’s first mass-produced airliner and played a pivotal role in the early days of passenger aviation. The particular aircraft visiting the Air Zoo, known as the “City of Port Clinton/City of Wichita,” has a storied history dating back to its first flight in Dearborn, Michigan, in 1928. It flew the famed “Lindbergh Line,” a transcontinental air-rail service charted by Charles Lindbergh, and is the only aircraft known to have been jointly owned and flown by both Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh
Each flight experience lasts about 30 minutes, including 15 minutes in the air, giving guests a unique chance to relive the golden age of aviation. With no age limit, families are welcome. Passengers as young as six months and as seasoned as 90 years have flown aboard the Tri-Motor. Every seat offers a window view, ensuring all passengers enjoy the sights and sounds of this historic aircraft.
“This is more than a ride. It is a journey into history,” said Seth Welton, Marketing and Communications Manager at the Air Zoo. “The Ford Tri-Motor changed the way people thought about air travel, and we are excited that the Liberty Aviation Museum is giving our community the chance to experience it firsthand.”
For tickets and more information, visit airzoo.org/events.
