The Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Center is offering aviation enthusiasts and families a rare chance to experience the golden age of flight with rides aboard the iconic 1928 Ford Tri-Motor, affectionately nicknamed the “Tin Goose.” The historic aircraft, visiting from the Liberty Aviation Museum in Port Clinton, Ohio, will be available for flights September 12–14, 2025, at the Air Zoo’s Flight Discovery Center, 3501 E Milham Avenue in Portage, Michigan.
Often hailed as the world’s first mass-produced airliner, the Ford Tri-Motor transformed passenger aviation. The aircraft visiting the Air Zoo, known as the City of Port Clinton/City of Wichita, has an extraordinary legacy. First flown in Dearborn, Michigan, in 1928, it once operated on the famed “Lindbergh Line,” a transcontinental air-rail service established by Charles Lindbergh. Remarkably, this aircraft is the only one known to have been jointly owned and flown by both Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh.
Each flight experience lasts approximately 30 minutes, including 15 minutes in the air. Every seat is a window seat, offering breathtaking views and an authentic sense of early air travel. Families are encouraged to participate—passengers as young as six months and as seasoned as 90 years have taken to the skies aboard the Tri-Motor. “This isn’t just a flight; it’s a living piece of history,” said Seth Welton, Marketing and Communications Manager at the Air Zoo. “The Ford Tri-Motor redefined air travel for the world. We are thrilled to partner with the Liberty Aviation Museum to bring this incredible experience to our community.” Tickets and additional details are available at airzoo.org/events.
About the Air Zoo
The Air Zoo is an internationally recognized, Smithsonian-affiliated aerospace and science center featuring a collection of over 100 rare and historically significant aircraft and more than 80,000 artifacts. Known for its hands-on exhibits, flight simulators, indoor amusement rides, and restoration program specializing in WWII aircraft recovered from Lake Michigan, the Air Zoo offers an immersive experience for visitors of all ages. Learn more at airzoo.org.
About the Liberty Aviation Museum
Located at the Erie-Ottawa International Airport (PCW – Carl Keller Field) in Port Clinton, Ohio, the Liberty Aviation Museum is a dynamic, “working” museum dedicated to preserving aviation, military, and local history. Opened in 2012, the museum operates without government funding and offers interactive exhibits, operational aircraft, and seasonal airplane rides. For more information, visit libertyaviationmuseum.org or call 419-732-0234.
