1929 Travel Air 4000 – NC379M

Owner/Pilot: Stuart "Cap'n Mac" MacPherson

1929 Travel Air 4000 open-cockpit biplane NC379M is among the last flying examples of the aircraft that launched American aviation and earned Wichita, Kansas the title of "Air Capital of the World."

The Travel Air E-4000 model was designed to compete with inexpensive World War I surplus Standards and Curtiss "Jennies." Its major feature was a forward cockpit wide enough to accommodate two passengers (at least by 1929 standards!). Its rugged landing gear used rubber "bungee" shock cords, allowing landings on unimproved fields.

Flying a gleaming white 1929 Travel Air biplane, "Cap'n Mac" began his flying career over 35 years ago as a pilot/parachute jumper in Richard Bach's, Great American Flying Circus, he also participated in filming the barnstorming documentary, "Nothing By Chance".  Over the years Stu and his Travel Air have shared the summer skies with over 14,000 passengers.  When he hangs up his goggles "Cap'n Mac" becomes "Dr. Mac", a gentle mild-mannered, surfer-dude dentist riding the waves in San Diego, California.