ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — A reproduction of the airplane that became the first commercial airliner will not be ready for its planned flight across Tampa Bay on New Year’s Day.
The Tampa Tribune (http://bit.ly/18Wa3O0) reports the Benoist 2014 reproduction was to follow the same flight path taken by Tony Jannus on Jan. 1, 1914, to mark the centennial of the event.
Creator Kermit Weeks was able to power the engine and taxi the airboat on water during his test flight Saturday, but could not get the craft airborne despite making several adjustments.
Instead, a similar airboat replica, the Hoffman X-4 “Mullet Skiff,” will fly in its place.
Source: Associated Press
