Author: kbambas

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1929 Ford Trimotor

Volunteer Perks:–

[KGVID]http://bambas.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Ford-Trimotor.mp4[/KGVID]

Last week Dolly and I volunteered as ground crew for the EAA’s 1929 Ford Trimotor that was visiting Brooksville Florida.  On Sunday the ten passenger plane had eleven flights.  On the last flight there were only nine paid passengers.  From the volunteers, Dolly was selected to fill the last seat.  It was a beautiful yet blustery day.  Winds were 10 gusting to 24.

Dolly”s seat

I worked as flagman, signaling to the starter that my side of the ramp was clear of people.

This trimotor has a 235 gallon tank.  The pilot climbs up through a cabin roof hatch, drops a rope and pulls up the fuel hose.

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Night Ops

The alarm went off at 3:00 AM.  Dolly heard it an woke me.

The plan was to regain nighttime currency, three takeoff and landings to a full stop at night.  We want to fly to St. Petersburg tomorrow to see the Kratt brothers show at the Mahaffee theater, a short walk from the airport.  The return will be at night.

Everything went just as it should.  The tires and tanks were full; all the nuts were on their bolts.  I taxied from the hangar pad and clicked the mike to turn on the taxi and runway lights…clicked the mike to turn on the taxi and runway lights…clicked the mike to turn on the taxi and runway lights…clicked the mike to turn on the taxi and runway lights.  No lights.  I tried both tower and ground frequencies.  I tried three, five and seven clicks.  No lights.  Frustration and nice photo.