Popular Ford Tri-Motor Refurbished For Airplane's 75th Anniversary 

Pioneer Airport, EAA's popular re-creation of a 1930s aerodrome complete with grass runway, opens the 2004 spring flying season this weekend at the EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh. Visitors are invited to come take part in special programs as well as many vintage airplanes on display and in the air on May 1-2.

They are also encouraged to participate in an ultimate interactive museum experience by purchasing a flight in one of these rare airplanes. One of those magnificent aircraft, EAA's 1929 Ford Tri-Motor, will be specially featured this year as is celebrates its 75th anniversary. In honor of its diamond jubilee year, the airplane was completely refurbished, including a refreshed paint coating compliments of Gulfstream Aviation's Appleton (WI) Service Center.

"Pioneer Airport is a facility like few others in the world," said Adam Smith, AirVenture Museum Director. "It is a place where early aviation can be not only savored by seeing these magnificent airplanes, but also experienced first-hand, as visitors can enjoy flights in vintage aircraft that bring the golden age of early aviation to life. As part of EAA's mission to preserve aviation heritage, Pioneer Airport is truly a 'field of dreams' for aviation enthusiasts."

EAA Founder and Chairman Paul Poberezny established Pioneer Airport in 1984 as a working airport that harkens back to the barnstorming days of 1920s and '30s. Other airplanes on flight status for the start of the 2004 Pioneer Airport flying season include a 1929 Travel Air E4000 open-cockpit biplane; a Bell 47 bubble-front helicopter; and EAA's Spirit of St. Louis replica. Aircraft available for museum visitor flights will be listed at Pioneer Airport's welcome hangar each day. Aircraft flight fees are in addition to regular museum admission.

In addition, EAA Young Eagles flights are offered free of charge for young people ages 8-17 (parent/guardian signature required) and Pioneer Airport will unveil several new hangar layouts for visitors to enjoy and discover their favorite aircraft.

A number of vintage aircraft pilots plan to bring their airplanes to the opening weekend festivities as well, including members of the Ercoupe and Piper Cub owners clubs.

As a special bonus for Oshkosh-area visitors, EAA has formed a partnership with Oshkosh Community Access Television (OCAT) for Pioneer Airport's opening weekend festivities. This partnership will mean free museum admission for OCAT supporters, along with special offers that benefit both those museum visitors and OCAT's local television programming efforts.

EAA's partnership with OCAT will allow current "Friends of OCAT" cardholders to receive one free admission per cardholder, with five dollars from every Pioneer Airport flight ticket sold benefiting the local television channel's programming efforts. Museum visitors may also purchase a Friends of OCAT card at the museum on May 1-2, which also earns them a bonus gift of a free flight experience in the EAA's full-motion F-16 MaxFlight simulator.

FMI: www.airventuremuseum.org