8/20/13 Experiemental Aircraft Association to offer rides on 1930s passenger airliner Memorial Day weekend

  • By Nick Sabo
  • August 20, 2013
  • 367
                        
SUMMARY: Flights will leave daily on historic airliner during EAA's annual pancake breakfast To air travelers in the golden age of transportation aviation, the Douglas DC-3 was a familiar sight. Passengers stepped right into the shiny, aluminum hulled plane from the runway. The plane jolted to life as the twin engines fired up, and passengers seated in comfortable upholstered seats watched the earth fall away from curtain-trimmed portholes as the Douglas took to the sky. Capable of transversing the U.S. in 15 hours with only three stops to re-fuel, the DC-3 revolutionized air transportation. For three days over the Memorial Day weekend, this experience can be re-lived at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA) annual pancake breakfast. Flights aboard a 1939 DC-3 will leave the Harry Clever Airport in New Philadelphia beginning at 8 a.m. and continue throughout the day. Also on hand will be World War II veteran Walter Limbacher who will share memories of the Great War. Look for him dressed in his Navy service uniform. EAA education hangar chairman Terry Henry said he has already seen a lot of interest in rides on the DC-3, taking “one or two calls every day”. As buzz about the full-size airliner coming to New Philadelphia has grown, Henry said he has spoken to many people who remember flying in DC-3s. Regardless of age, a flight in a DC-3 is an unforgettable experience, Henry said. “For the older passengers, it’s going to be a step back in time,” Henry said. “For the younger passengers, it’s a trip back to the rumbling engine days.” The DC-3 will be piloted by owner Ron Alexander, of Peach Tree City, Georgia. A flight attendant dressed in period garb will be on hand to assist passengers. The flights will last about 15 minutes, Henry said. This particular DC-3 is one of only 322 commercial passenger aircraft in service prior to World War II. It is unique in that it never saw service in WW II, Henry said, spending its halcyon days as a passenger aircraft. DC-3s saw active service in the war as cargo planes and also towed small gliders used to drop troops behind enemy lines. They are still in use as cargo planes in Africa and South America. Alexander’s DC-3 has been used in such films as the Jackie Robinson-inspired feature ’42’. It has shared the spotlight with Susan Sarandon, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Lopez and John Travolta. Harrison Ford, who starred in ’42’, has flown it. The pancake breakfast supports educational and safety programs put on by the EAA at the educational hangar. Lunch and dinner will also be served throughout the day. Reservations can be made by calling 330-340-2999. Walk-ups are also welcome. KUTLINES: Submitted photos The New Philadephia Experimental Aircraft Association will offer the chance to take a step back in the history of transportation aviation aboard a 1939 DC-3 full size passenger airliner. Short flights will leave the Harry Clever Airport daily Aug. 31 - Sept. 2 during the EAA’s annual pancake breakfast.


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