Plant City’s Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is back

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) —The 12th annual Planes, Trains, and Automobiles event returns to Plant City this weekend.

The one-day, five-hour event is jammed packed with dozens of cars, a variety of aircraft and several working train layouts.

Amanda Holly got to preview this event Friday. She got the experience of a lifetime flying in a 1941 Stearman Biplane. She climbed in and the engine roared to life. Her pilot, Chris Gregory, said, “this is a piece of living, breathing, flying history.”

Dating back to 1941, it has thousands of flying hours. It was used as a primary trainer by the US Army Air Corps for pilots in World War II.

Amanda soaked in the entire experience while Chris showed her a few things the plane could do. He did several wing over maneuvers which took the plane straight up to almost vertical, sideways to facing back toward the ground and then leveled off.

She even got to fly the plane a little bit! This experience is offered to the public for an extra charge on Saturday and it is first come first served. They will offer short and longer flights and will try and fit in as many folks who want to fly.

If you don’t want to fly in an airplane, there will be plenty to look at one the ground. Founder and chairman of the event Jason Jones said his favorite part every year is how there is something for everyone. He said, “if you don’t like planes, there are trains. If you don’t like trains, we have cars. There’s even a Lego set.”

There will be a lifesize Lightning McQueen Car, the Ectomobile from Ghost Busters, classic and muscle cars will all be on display. There is a RC airplane demo scheduled that is a hit every year. A bounce house will be set up alongside, vendors, food trucks and much more.

The event will offer numerous hands on activities for everyone of all ages. It is sure to be a fun event for everyone but for some it will have a lasting impact. Jones said “we’ve had stories of young adults who have had their first flight right here at this event and are now pilots.”

Planes, Trains and Automobiles will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10. Tickets are cheaper if purchased in advance, $7.50, and $10 at the door. Parking as well as children 10 and under are free.

If you miss your chance to fly on the Stearman Saturday, Flying Adventure offers rides of different vintage airplanes rides in St. Petersburg.