Take to the skies in one of aviation’s most iconic and influential aircraft, the Ford 4-AT Trimotor. Microsoft Flight Simulator‘s sixth Famous Flyer release.
The Ford 4-AT Trimotor is an aviator’s dream machine. All-metal, high-wing, three-engine passenger and freighter. Built to be rugged, it can operate in the toughest airfields in the world and is renowned for its forgiveness in the air, taking pilot confidence to new heights.
The introduction of the TriMotor by the Ford Motor Company’s Stout Metal Airplane Division was one of the most significant milestones in the early history of commercial passenger aviation. The rugged, powerful and comfortable aircraft enabled several long-haul routes, such as the route between Key West, Florida and Havana, Cuba. The Ford Trimotor was used by approximately 100 airlines during its operational life. This is a testament to its reliability and efficiency. The 4-AT also saw limited use in military logistical support.
The aircraft first flew on June 11, 1926 and entered service later that year. 199 of hers were built during the production period that lasted from 1926 to his 1933. It was crewed by one or two of his and carried up to 12 passengers, including the pilot. With the active and energetic support of Henry Ford, Trimotor quickly established himself as one of the luminaries of the Golden Age of Flight.
The 4-AT features corrugated aluminum construction in the fuselage, wings, tail sections and control surfaces. It is 49 feet 10 inches long, 11 feet 9 inches tall, and has a wingspan of 74 feet. It has a traditional tail and a standard fixed chassis. Aircraft can be fitted with floats for navigation on water and skis for take-off and landing on snow and glaciers.
The Trimotor is powered by three 300 hp 9-cylinder Wright J-6-9 Whirlwind radial piston engines, each powering a 2-blade fixed-pitch propeller. Two engines are located under the wing, one on each side, suspended by braces. One engine is installed in the nose of the airplane. The Tri-Motor has a range of 570 miles, top speed climbs to 920 feet per minute, and a service ceiling of 16,500 feet above sea level. It has a stall speed of 97 mph, a cruising speed of 115 mph, and a top speed of 132 mph.
The Ford 4-AT Trimotor comes with 5 liveries (Black Ford, Emerald Harbor, New Guinea, Spanish Republic and World Travel) and 3 landing gear configurations (Ground Wheeled, Float and Ski). This classic dish is available free for one week starting today. Available June 30th at 11:59 PM PDT for $14.99. Explore the world from the cockpit of this meticulously recreated iconic aircraft – the sky is calling!
Microsoft Flight Simulator is available on Xbox Series X|S and PC with Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, Windows and Steam, and via Xbox Cloud Gaming on Xbox One and supported phones, tablets and low-spec PCs. available. For the latest information, Microsoft Flight Simulator,stay tuned @MSFSOfficial on Twitter.
