Ford 4–AT–E Tri-Motor

Flight Notes - how to fly the Ford Tri-Motor

Visionary Henry Ford, saw the potential for commercial aviation early in the industry's development. The Ford Motor Company acquired the Stout Metal Plane Company in 1925 in order to gain rights to the Tri-Motor design, and eventually 198 of the aircraft were built. Although the airlines replaced the Ford with new designs in a relatively short number of years, the Tri-Motor was an important factor in popularizing commercial flight and promoting the safety of air travel to average travelers.

The Tri-Motor's quirks are very manageable. It's a fairly docile airplane to fly, but keeping it in trim is something you have to attend to frequently over a long flight.

Specifications

 

	U.S.	Metric
Maximum Speed	130 mph 113 knots	209 km per hour
Cruise Speed	110 mph 96 kts	177 km per hour
Engine	Three Wright Whirlwind J-6, 300 horsepower each
Propeller	Two-bladed, metal
Maximum Range	670 miles	1,078 km
Service Ceiling	14,500 feet	4,420 meters
Fuel Capacity	231 gallons	874 liters
Empty Weight	6,600 pounds	2,994 kilograms
Maximum Gross Weight	10,130 pounds	4,595 kilograms
Length	49 feet, 10 inches	15 meters
Wingspan	74 feet	22.55 meters
Height	12 feet, 8 inches	3.89 meters
Seating	Up to 12
Useful Load	3,530 pounds	1,601 kilograms