TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The 12th annual Planes, Trains and Automobiles event returns this weekend in Plant City.
The one-day, five-hour event is packed with dozens of vehicles, a variety of aircraft, and several working train layouts.
Amanda Holly was set to preview the event on Friday. She had the flying experience of her lifetime in her 1941 Stearman biplane. When she got in, her engine roared to life. “This is a living, breathing, flying piece of history,” said pilot Chris Gregory.
It dates back to 1941 and has thousands of flight hours. During World War II, it was used as a primary training aircraft for U.S. Army Air Corps pilots.
Amanda soaked in the whole experience while Chris showed her some of the things she could do on the plane. He made several overwing flights, raising the plane straight up almost vertically, then turning it sideways and leveling it with its back to the ground.
She could also fly an airplane a little bit. This experience will be available to the public on Saturdays for an additional fee and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. They offer short and long flights and try to accommodate the large number of people who wish to fly.
If you don’t want to fly, there’s plenty to see on the ground. Jason Jones, the event’s founder and chairman, said his favorite thing about each year is that there is something for everyone. he said: “If you don’t like planes, we have trains. If you don’t like trains, we have cars. We also have Lego sets.”
A life-sized Lightning McQueen car, the Ghostbusters Ectomobile, and classic and muscle cars will all be on display. A demo of radio-controlled airplanes, which is popular every year, is also planned. There will be bounce houses, vendors, food trucks and more.
This event offers a number of hands-on activities for everyone of all ages. It’s sure to be a fun event for everyone, but for some it will have a lasting impact. “We hear from young people who took their first flight here at this event and are now pilots,” Jones said.
Planes, trains and cars will operate from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 10. Tickets are as low as $7.50 if purchased in advance and $10 if purchased on the day. Parking and children under 10 are free.
If you missed the chance to fly on Stearman Saturday, Flying Adventures offers a variety of vintage airplane rides in St. Petersburg.