The First Flight Society Presents
125th Anniversary of First Flight
December 17, 2028
Reserve Your Place in History
Limited seating available for this once-in-a-lifetime commemoration. Join distinguished guests, aviation leaders, and history enthusiasts for an unforgettable experience.
Early Bird: $125
Event Schedule
A full day of celebration, education, and commemoration honoring 125 years of aviation history at the very location where human flight began.
125 Years of
Aviation Legacy
On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright achieved the impossible. Now, 125 years later, we celebrate not just that moment, but the endless journey of human flight that followed.
From Impossible Dream to Global Reality
What began as the two brothers’ obsession with solving the mystery of human flight became the foundation for modern aviation, space exploration, and countless innovations that connect our world today.
This 125th Anniversary celebration honors not just the Wright Brothers’ achievement, but the spirit of innovation, persistence, and dreams that continue to push humanity toward new frontiers.
The Date
December 17, 1903 – 10:35 AM.
The Place
Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
The Pilots
Orville Wright
The Impact
Changed Human Civilization
“I am an enthusiast, but not a crank in the sense that I have some pet theories as to the proper construction of a flying machine. I wish to avail myself of all that is already known and then, if possible, add my mite to help on the future worker who will attain final success.”
~ Wilbure Wright, 1899
From Impossible Dream to Global Reality
Orville and Wilbur Wright ran a modest bicycle shop in Dayton, Ohio. But
their mechanical minds were captivated by something far grander—the
dream of human flight.
Inspired by Otto Lilienthal’s gliding experiments and driven by an insatiable
curiosity about aerodynamics, the brothers began their own systematic
study of flight in the late 1890s.
1899
December 17, 1903 – 10:35 AM.
The Place
Glider Flights
The Road to
Kitty Hawk
The story of human flight began not in the skies, but in the hearts and minds of two brothers who dared to dream beyond the impossible.
The Perfect Location
Why Kitty Hawk?
After studying weather data from across the country, the Wright brothers
chose Kitty Hawk for three crucial reasons: consistent winds, soft sand for
safe landings, and privacy for their experiments.
The isolated Outer Banks of North Carolina provided the perfect natural wind
tunnel and laboratory for testing their flying machines without curious crowds or competitors.
20+ MPH
Steady Winds
100+ Ft
Steady Winds
Remote
Location
December 17, 1903
12 Seconds That Changed the World
At 10:35 AM, with a 27-mph headwind, Orville Wright climbed aboard the Wright Flyer.
Wilbur ran alongside, steadying the wing until the machine lifted into the air.
For 12 seconds and 120 feet, humanity soared. It was unsteady, it was brief, but it was
controlled powered flight—the dream of centuries realized in a moment of triumph on the windswept dunes.
“We were now free to attempt flight in any direction we chose.”
Preserve Aviation Heritage
Fund the
Future
Your contribution helps preserve the Wright Brothers’ legacy for future generations
while supporting aviation education, research, and commemorative events that
inspire tomorrow’s innovators.