Oldest flying commercial plane schedules a visit at Pearson

The world’s oldest operating Boeing passenger airplane will stop into Vancouver on Aug. 24 for a five-day visit.

On the afternoon of Aug. 27, the 1928 Boeing 40C will perform several demonstration flights. Even though that’s Open Cockpit Day at Pearson, visitors will not be able to climb into the plane.

The 1928 Boeing 40C is the world’s oldest airworthy and still-flying commercial aircraft. It is owned by Addison and Wendy Pemberton of Spokane.

Addison Pemberton will recount the plane’s construction, its original airmail route, its fatal crash near Canyonville, Ore., all the way up to its restoration in 2008. He’ll speak at a free public seminar at 10 a.m. Aug. 27 at the Red Lion Hotel on the River, 909 N. Hayden Island Drive in Portland.

At Pearson’s second Open Cockpit Day, scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1115 E. Fifth Street, visitors can climb aboard some of Pearson’s vintage aircraft. There will also be airplane rides for youth (weather permitting and first-come, first-served) and the museum’s remodeled flight simulator lab.

For more information, visit http://pearsonairmuseum.org. Open Cockpit Day is included in regular museum admission — that’s $7 for adults and $5 for seniors, students and active military; children 5 and under are free.