Greg Pyron, host
Ozark Mountain Gems

Hear Ozark Mountain Gems every Thursday following the local news at 7:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, and 5:00 p.m.

Ozark Mountain Gems

8-19-10

Ford Tri-Motor Visit (radio script by Greg Pyron)

Long before the lights of Branson stretched out Highway 76 toward Dewey Bald, a grass runway served as Branson’s airport.  Today, the property is developed with White Water, Factory Merchant’s Mall, and a number of other businesses.

Back then, airplane traffic was minimal, and the nearest commercial flights were in Springfield.  Today, the new Branson airport south of town offers commercial jet service.  The new Branson West Airport is poised for its grand opening this fall, and the Taney County Airport (originally built and operated by the College of the Ozarks) remains an active general aviation facility just across Lake Taneycomo from all of Branson’s activities. 

This week, folks around Branson have the chance to see some real aviation history an original Ford Tri-motor airplane flies into the Taney County Airport at Point Lookout.  Owned by the Experimental Aircraft Association, this rare bird is winging across the Midwest to remind us of the early days of air travel, and the importance of aviation to our communities today. 

Except for the design, this particular plane looks shiny and new, belying the fact that it will be 81 years old next week!  It began as a passenger plane for Pitcarin airways along the east coast in 1929 … That was the forerunner of Eastern Airlines.  Seating nine passengers and a crew of three (pilot, co-pilot, and cabin attendant), the Ford Tri-motor was ruggedly built, and obviously, made to last.  Of the 199 originally manufactured, 18 still exist.  Six of them are airworthy, and continue to fly.  Henry Ford himself commented "No Ford plane has yet worn out in service."  Even Franklin Roosevelt flew on a Ford Tri-motor in the 1932 presidential campaign using air service to replace the traditional "whistle stop" train trips.

Folks are invited to view this unique piece of aviation history at Point Lookout today through this weekend.  The real aviation enthusiast can purchase a ticket to ride aboard this historic aircraft.  You can bet I’ll be up there soaring above our beautiful hills, drinking in the moments of melding the past and present, and thinking of aviation’s future in the Ozarks --

Look! Up in the Sky!  You might just glimpse a historic Ozark Mountain Gem!