Kalamazoo, MI, September 10, 2025 — 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.
About the Air Zoo: The Air Zoo is an internationally acclaimed Smithsonian-affiliated aerospace and science center, boasting a renowned collection of over 100 rare and historically significant aircraft and more than 80,000 unique artifacts, displays, and exhibits showcasing history, science, and technology. The Air Zoo stands apart from similar museums and learning centers of its kind, with a keen focus on hands-on learning and engaging educational programs. Located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the Air Zoo is a one-of-a-kind destination perfect for the whole family with flight simulators, a theater, amusement rides, hands-on exhibits, a restoration program that specializes in WWII planes rescued from the bottom of Lake Michigan, and the world’s largest indoor, hand-painted mural that reaches 32 feet tall and 800 feet wide! Visit the Air Zoo at airzoo.org
About Liberty Aviation Museum: Located at the Erie-Ottawa International Airport (PCW – Carl Keller Field) in Port Clinton, Ohio, the Liberty Aviation Museum is a distinguished ‘working’ museum that opened its doors in July 2012. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, we operate independently without government funding. Our mission is to preserve history for future generations by providing an interactive and immersive experience, featuring operational aviation, military, and local history exhibits, as well as select aircraft rides throughout the year. For more information on our programs, including airplane rides, educational events, and other special seasonal events, please visit www.libertyaviationmuseum.org or call 419-732-0234.
