25 03, 2019

Why Should You Donate to FFS?

Donate.

You see this almost every day from one organization or another. You get telephone calls. You get letters. You see it on television. You hear it on the radio.

Like most non profits we rely on donations and memberships from people just like you to keep our group alive. Your next question is probably, “Why should I donate to the First Flight Society?” What do they actually do?

Did you know that If it wasn’t for the First Flight Society there wouldn’t even be a Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina? Under the name Kill Devil Hills Memorial Association, a group of local businessmen petitioned the US Congress to Fund and build a monument to the Wright Brothers’ achievement of 1903.

Though primarily known as the group that puts on the annual celebration at the Wright Brothers National Memorial every December 17^th, that is not all that we […]

25 02, 2019

Commander Stewart Ross Graham

Inducted in 2016

Pioneered helicopter rescue techniques

1917-2016

Inducted into the Paul E. Garber First Flight Shrine at Wright Brothers National Memorial on December 17, 2016, celebrating the 113^th Wright Brothers Anniversary of Powered Flight. This aviation hero was a pioneer in the development of techniques the helicopter is renowned for to this day.

Commander Graham, trained by his mentor Capt. Erickson, was soon designated as the second Coast Guard helicopter pilot. Commander Graham become “awestruck” by the new “machine”, and captivated by its possibilities. Instructor and student were an outstanding team – and deservingly earned their titles as HELICOPTER PILOT #1 and HELICOPTER PILOT #2.

25 02, 2019

Captain Frank A. Erickson

Inducted in 2016

Pioneered helicopter rescue techniques

1907-1978

Inducted into the Paul E. Garber First Flight Shrine at Wright Brothers National Memorial on December 17, 2016, celebrating the 113^th Wright Brothers Anniversary of Powered Flight.

This aviation hero was a pioneer in the development of techniques the helicopter is renowned for to this day. Captain Erikson is designated as the first Coast Guard helicopter pilot. Capt. Erickson, a graduate of the Coast Guard Academy, applied for flight training, became fascinated with aviation, and was challenged by the possibilities for the helicopter.

25 02, 2019

Elrey Borge Jeppesen

Inducted in 2017

Creator of the “little Black Book”-Founder of Jeppesen Company

1907-1996

Inducted into the Paul E. Garber First Flight Shrine, December 17, 2017. While flying across the country to deliver mail in the early days of aviation, Capt. Jeppesen created his “little black book” of navigation charts, information still in use today. He eventually founded the Jeppesen Company providing navigational assistance to pilots, and which is now a subsidiary of the Boeing Corporation.

25 02, 2019

Katherine G. Johnson

Inducted in 2018

NASA research mathematician

1918-2020

A NASA mathematician for 33 years, Mrs. Johnson was the first female to author a NASA research report and is most known for her work on the trajectory analysis needed for Alan Shepards’ 1961 Freedom mission and John Glenn’s 1962 orbital mission. However, she cites her calculations syncing the Apollo Lunar Lander with the Command & Service Module as her greatest contribution to space exploration. Profiled in the book and movie “Hidden Figures”. Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015.

Painting by Gregory Kavalec, displayed at Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitors Center, Kill Devil Hills, NC.

10 02, 2019

FFS is Accepting Nominations for the First Flight Shrine.

We are accepting nominations for the First Flight Society Paul E. Garber First Flight Shrine for 2020. Nominees should have made an outstanding accomplishment in manned flight and that they are generally recognized nationally and internationally for their achievements and contributions to aviation.

All nominations must be received no later than March 31st.

NOMINATION FORM – Shrine Download

5 12, 2018

FFS Honoring Katherine Johnson on the 115th Anniversary of the Wright Brothers First Flight.

The 115th Anniversary of the accomplishment of manned powered flight by the Brothers, Wilbur and Orville Wright, will be celebrated at the Wright Brother National Memorial on Monday, December 17, 2018 with gates opening at 8:00 AM. The event is sponsored by the First Flight Society, the oldest organization honoring the Wright Brothers, in partnership with the National Park Service.

This year’s program honors Katherine Johnson. A key figure in the history of manned space flight, Katherine Johnson participated for 33 years in the NASA space programs based in Hampton, Virginia. Her work as a mathematician in the early years of the NASA manned space program has been celebrated in writing and cinema. In 2017 NASA dedicated the Katherine Johnson Computational Research Facility at Langley in her honor.

Dr. David Bowles, Director of the NASA Langley […]

27 11, 2018

First Flight Society Celebrates #GivingTuesday.

This #GivingTuesday, First Flight Society will celebrate giving by asking for donations to our Annual Fund https://www.gofundme.com/first-flight-society039s-annual-fund.

#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide. Following Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, this year’s #GivingTuesday will take place Today on November 27th and will kick off the giving season by inspiring people

to collaborate and give back.

Founded in 2012 by the 92nd Street Y – a community and cultural center in New York City − #GivingTuesday inspired millions of people

to give back and support the causes they believe in. Over $300 million was raised online to benefit a tremendously broad range of organizations, and much more was given in volunteer hours, donations of food and clothing, and acts of kindness.

“We are incredibly inspired by the way the #GivingTuesday community […]

26 11, 2018

Join Us December 17th for the 115th Anniversary Celebration!

115th Anniversary of Powered Flight – Our biggest celebration December 16 & 17, 2018. Wright Brothers National Memorial Park admission is free on December 17 and the Anniversary program begins at 9:00 a.m. THIS IS A MONDAY, so plan early so you don’t miss it! No longer a hidden figure in the history of NASA and Aviation, Mrs. Katherine Johnson will be inducted into the Paul E. Garber First Flight Society Shrine on December 17th!

TENTATIVE PROGRAM OUTLINE DEC 17, 2018 – WRIGHT BROTHERS NATIONAL MEMORIAL

8:30 AM PRELUDE BAND CONCERT Northeastern High School Band, Dr. Wayne James, Director

8:45 AM OPENING OFFICIAL CEREMONIES

PRESIDING Arthur Lamothe, President First Flight Society

PRESENTATION OF COLORS Civil Air Patrol Cadets, NC Wings

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Arthur J. Lamothe, President FFS

NATIONAL ANTHEM Echo of Heritage

INVOCATION Pastor Marc O’Neal, Camden United Methodist Church

OFFICIAL WELCOME Mr. Dave Hallac,

Superintendent, NPS Outer Banks Group

RECOGNITION SPECIAL GUESTS Arthur J. Lamothe, […]

21 10, 2018

Get Your Tickets Now for the Wright Brothers Musical in November!

Fun for the Whole Family!

Buy tickets on Eventbrite by clicking here:

Tickets

The First Flight Society presents The Wright Brothers: Those Daring Young Men & Their Flying Machine. The play will be performed twice in November at Paparazzi OBX: On Sunday, November 11th, 2018 at 7:00 PM and also on Monday, November 12th at 2:00 PM.

This performance is a musical play designed to inspire people to achieve their dreams against impossible odds!

This play was especially created for families and children to educate and encourage them. A true “STEM” show – portraying one of America’s earliest successes in combining Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

– Encourages perseverance – never giving up on your dreams.
– The value of out-of-the-box, inventive thinking.
– Teamwork, brotherhood and loyalty.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the National Park Service at Wright Brothers National Memorial Park, Kill Devil Hills, NC.