Here are photos from National Aviation Day at Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk, NC on Saturday, August 19th, 2017. First Flight Society would like to thank all the participants, volunteers and spectators who joined us for a beautiful day at the park!
(Photos by First Flight Board Member Bill Douglas)
The First Flight Society is 90 years old today.
In 1927, a group of forward-thinking northeastern North Carolina business and civic leaders began an effort to preserve the original site of the Wright brothers’ flights of December 17, 1903. The group formally organized on August 16, 1927, as the Kill Devil Hills Memorial Association and set about the task of acquiring the site where Orville and Wilbur Wright made their four historic flights in 1903. The Kill Devil Hills Memorial Association was formally incorporated in 1943. Its name was changed to Kill Devil Hills Memorial Society in 1951 and in 1966 changed to the First Flight Society.
The National Park Service and the First Flight Society share in our missions and purpose resulting in the benefit of a partnership effort that has endured since the Wright Brothers National Memorial became part of the National Park System in 1933. The First Flight […]
Celebrate National Aviation Day at Wright Brothers National Memorial!
Wright Brothers National Memorial and the First Flight Society invite you to celebrate National
Aviation Day on Saturday, August 19, 2017. The park will be open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and
entrance fees will be waived for the event. The opening ceremony will begin at 9:45 am at the large
covered tent south of the temporary visitor center. This special event will provide opportunities
to explore aviation from the time the Wright brothers first took flight through modern aviation and
space exploration today.
National Aviation Day was first proclaimed on August 19, 1939, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
This day also coincides with Orville Wright’s birth date. In commemoration of what the Wright
brothers achieved, the park will host special guest speakers, pilots, aircraft displays, and
flight-related activities. Participating partners and exhibitors include the First Flight Society,
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Langley Research Center, United States Navy,
United States […]
Be sure to join us for a very exciting day on August 19, 2017 at the Wright Brothers National Memorial Park! The First Flight Society will be celebrating National Aviation Day. In addition we will commemorate Orville Wright’s 146th Birthday, and the 75th Anniversary of the Civil Air Patrol. There will be activities for young and old. Local military and aviation organizations will be represented, but you don’t want to miss the highlight of the day when U.S. Coast Guard aircraft and WWII T-6 Trainers provide a ceremonial FLYOVER. Come out and enjoy all the Wright Brothers National Memorial has to offer as we honor the Wright Brothers and the Aviation community on National Aviation Day. Hours 9:00 am-5:00 pm.
Memories from 2014 Aviation Day
[…]
Today is Wilbur Wright’s 150th birthday. Wilbur was born on April 16, 1867 near Millville, Indiana. Wilbur was an inventor and his nickname was “Father of Modern Aviation”. Wilbur’s brother Orville was his playmate, co-inventor and business partner throughout his life. Wilbur and Orville lived in Dayton, Ohio most of their lives, but their most famous feat took place at Kill Devil Hill in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The Wright Brothers had their first successful airplane flight on December 17, 1903. Their Wright Flyer was the first powered, heavier-than-air machine to achieve controlled, sustained manned flight.
Happy Birthday Wilbur!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WILBUR! Fourth Graders at First Flight Elementary will be surprised to see Orville and Wilbur Wright drop by the classrooms on Tuesday, April 18 to recognize Wilbur Wright’s 150th birthday (April 16)! Representatives of the National Park Service from the Wright Brothers Memorial Park will accompany the Orville & Wilbur to explain the NPS Kids in Parks program. Open to all fourth graders, nationwide Get program information at: https://www.nps.gov/kids/index.cfm
Please join The First Flight Society the weekend of April 15-16, 2017 at the Wright Brothers National Memorial to celebrate Wilbur Wright’s birthday. Wilbur was born April 16th, 1867 near Millville, Indiana, to Milton and Susan Wright. Pencil this weekend on your calendar and we will provide more details as we get closer to the event.
December 16-17, 2016 – the 113th Anniversary of Powered Flight
The First Flight Society will host the 113th Celebration of Powered Flight at Wright Brothers National Memorial on December 17, 2016. The theme this year will recognize and honor the 100th Anniversary of the United States Coast Guard Aviation. Two great pioneers in aviation history and proud Coast Guardsmen, Captain Frank Erickson and Commander Stewart Graham, will be inducted into the Paul E. Garber First Flight Shrine. ADM Paul F. Zukunft, Commandant, United States Coast Guard, will be the keynote speaker for the Commemorative Ceremonies. We will have bands, flags, our Coast Guard heroes and much more– Mark your calendars! Don’t miss this opportunity to pay tribute to a branch of our military that have been an integral part of our local history!
First Flight Society Members are invited to “THE NIGHT BEFORE” reception and banquet will be held on December 16th […]
Be sure to join us for a very exciting day on August 19, 2016 at the Wright Brothers National Park – We will be celebrating National Aviation Day, Orville Wright’s 145th Birthday, and the Centennial year of the National Park Service. Admission to the park will be free. Activities include static display of military and civilian aircraft, educational exhibits by NASA, NOAA, NC DOT Aviation, Outer Banks Visitors Center, youth interactive activities, special presentations in the Visitors Center Flight Room about the Wright Brothers, the United States Coast Guard, and the National Park Service’s 100 years of service to our nation and their aviation story. Also, you will enjoy a FLYOVER of military and civilian aircraft. And, special surprise guests will be on hand to visit with you! Don’t miss it. Hours 9:00 am-5:00 pm.
