BROOKSVILLE, Fla. -- Dozens of people headed out to the Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport this weekend to get their chance to ride one of just a handful of 1920s era Ford Tri-Motor airplanes. 

The second you step into the airplane, you’re transported back in time. 

“I love vintage 30s and 40s movies so this kind of brought that all to life,” Jan Veazey said. 

Jan and George Veazey made the trip up from Tampa to take a ride on the plane to celebrate Jan’s birthday. 

“The engines are the most exciting thing. I think the sound of them, it just is overpowering,” she explained. 

 

 

This plane is the vision of Henry Ford, of Ford Motor Company, and is considered to have paved the way for commercial air travel as we know it when it took it’s first flight in 1929. 

“Prior to that airplanes were made of wood and fabric, materials that deteriorated over time, so all metal was more durable and 3 engines for reliability,” said pilot John Maxfield. 

The plane has seats for nine passengers. 

“We fly low and slow about 1,000 feet off the ground and 80 or 90 miles an hour just like they did back in the day,” Maxfield added. 

The Experimental Aircraft Association now takes this plane across the country offering rides to the public.

“The great satisfaction is getting to fly a piece of history not only that but to bring it to the general public and share it bring history to life,” Maxfield explained. 

And for the Veazey’s it’s an experience they won’t soon forget. 

“It was all that I thought it would be and more, ” Jan said. 

 “We’ve flown all over  the world and this was definitely an experience,” George added.