The Experimental Aircraft Association owns the plane, also known as the “Tin Goose,” and sponsors the tour. For about $60 a person, passengers can experience what a flight would be like more than 80 years ago. The flights last about 15 minutes.
Rides are scheduled to be available through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., before The Goose flies to Cincinnati for the next leg of the tour. But those waiting in the evening for rides will not be left disappointed.
“As long as there are people, we will fly,” said Jackie Welch, an EAA volunteer.
The plane, which cruises at about 80 mph, is a rarity in itself, said Gerry Flaugher, the plane’s pilot on its trip to Champaign County from Indiana. Only 199 were created, just 16 are known to exist and seven still fly, he said.
“But ours is the only one who makes its living,” Flaugher grinned.
The revenue generated from ride sales funds the plane’s maintenance and fuel, which isn’t cheap. The plane burns about a gallon of fuel per minute, he said.
It was all Gerry’s idea to have the plane fund itself, Welch said.
“But, I pick up all the pieces,” she added.
Lawrence Wilson, a 75-year-old Springfield resident, waited in the hangar to find out if rides would be given despite the weather. The self-described “aviation nut for years” used to be a pilot, but had to give up his passion for health reasons.
Wilson was not nervous about the weather, he said. “I’ve flown in a lot of rain,” Wilson said. “If the pilot will fly, I’ll fly.”
One hour later, he was on the first flight.
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