News & Events

Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.

Inducted in 2022

Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. was the first black brigadier general in the USAF.

December 18, 1912 – July 4, 2002

Benjamin Oliver Davis Jr. was a United States Air Force general and commander of the World War II Tuskegee Airmen. He was the first African-American brigadier general in the USAF. Davis Jr was born December 18th, 1912 in Washington, DC. He earned a 1932 nomination to the U.S. Military Academy from Rep. Oscar S. De Priest (R-Ill.), then America’s only black congressman. He was the first African-American to be admitted to the Academy since Reconstruction.


President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the Army Air Corps to create a flying organization for African-American troops. Davis Jr., the only living black West Point graduate, was ordered from Ft. Benning, Ga., to Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama. Davis would see the Tuskegee Airmen swell in ranks to 1,000 and form the 99th Pursuit Squadron, later the 332d Fighter Squadron. By the end of the war Davis had flown 60 combat missions and had been promoted to colonel.


Davis also served in the Korean and Vietnam wars. He ended his career as deputy commander in chief of the U.S. Air Force. After retiring in 1970, he served as an assistant secretary at the Department of Transportation under President Richard M. Nixon. On December 9, 1998, he was promoted to General, U.S. Air Force (retired). Davis died July 4th, 2002 at age 89.

Make Plans to Celebrate Wright Brothers Day 2022!

Save the date! December 17th, 2022 is the 119th anniversary of powered flight. The First Flight Society will be honoring Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. as the 2022 Paul E Garber Shrine inductee. The Shrine is located in the Museum and Visitors Center at the Wright Brothers National Memorial, Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, USA.

This honor is selected annually by a high-level panel appointed by the First Flight Society, from among numerous nominations submitted from around the world as well as compiled lists of qualified candidates. The induction ceremony will be held on Wright Brothers Day, December 17, 2022, with a celebration luncheon also held that day in Kitty Hawk. A portrait of General Davis will be unveiled and presented at the ceremony on December 17th.

The FFS Annual Luncheon will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn OBX/Kitty Hawk at 12:00 noon on the 17th. The luncheon will consist of a sit down meal and speakers from the USAF and the Davis family. The luncheon is open to everyone and tickets are available in the First Flight Society Store.

FFS will recognize our 2022, 2021 and 2020 Classes of Honorary Members. The Class of 2022 is Zara Rutherford, Nicole Malachowski, Jerry Yagen and Gregory Kavalec. The Class of 2021 is Mark Baker, Rob Holland, and Tom Crouch. The Class of 2020 is Charles McGee, Gail Halvorsen, Patty Wagstaff, Sean Tucker and Dick Rutan.

The 2022 Class of Honorary members was announced on November 19th, 2022.

The First Flight Society is proud and honored to have all of these luminaries as new Honorary Members.

First Flight Society Announces 2022 Class of Honorary Members

KITTY HAWK, N.C. – Nov. 19, 2022 – The First Flight Society announces 4 new Honorary
Members for 2022: Record holder Zara Rutherford, military pilot Nicole Malachowski, airplane collector
Jerry Yagen and artist Gregory Kavalec.


Zara Rutherford became the youngest female pilot to fly solo around the world and the first person to
circumnavigate the earth in a microlight aircraft. She was just 19 years old when she began a 5-month
journey that started in Kortrijk, Belgium, in August 2021, and ended back there in January 2022.


Nicole Malachowski was the first female pilot selected to fly as part of the USAF Air Demonstration
Squadron, better known as the Thunderbirds. She is a retired United States Air Force Colonel. Nicole
became a speaker and advocate on behalf of patients with tick-borne illnesses.


Gerald “Jerry” Yagen is the founder of the Military Aviation Museum in Pungo, Virginia and founder of
Centura College and the Aviation Institute of Maintenance schools. He has played a major role in keeping
aviation history alive in the US.


Gregory Kavalec is an artist who is responsible for many of the paintings In the First Flight Society’s Paul E
Garber Shrine. His latest painting will be unveiled on December 17th at Wright Brothers National
Memorial.


The Honorary Member program launched in 2020 to enhance the public visibility of luminaries like these
who have achieved national recognition in aviation. First Flight Society will recognize them in Society
Media during their lifetime. In turn, FFS offers them the chance to attend the December 17th Luncheon in
Kitty Hawk, NC and be honored along with that year’s Honoree. Previous FFS Honorary Members include
General Charles McGee, Colonel Gail Halvorsen, Patty Wagstaff, Rob Holland and Sean D Tucker.


This year’s honoree is General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., the first black General in the United States Air Force.
Davis was commander of the famed Tuskegee Airmen in World War II. He will be inducted into the Paul
E. Garber First Flight Shrine at Wright Brothers National Memorial on December 17, 2022.


More information about FFS Honorary Members can be found at www.firstflight.org.


More information about the Wright Brothers Day event can be found at www.wrightbrothersday.org.

Your Chance to Win a ride in a P-51 Mustang + this Wooden Display Model!

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Enter for Your Chance to Win a ride in a P-51 Mustang + this Wooden Display Model!

Win this P-51D Mustang “Big Beautiful Doll” Model of the aircraft flown by Colonel John D LandersCommanding Officer of the 78th Fighter Group, 8th USAAF between February and June 1945. (Scale: 1/24, Wingspan 15 inches)
RETAIL VALUE $170
Ride Award is on! Enter by Oct 31 with Promo Code WINME for 25% Bonus and a chance to win a Sporty’s P-51 Model!

Enter today for your chance to fly in a WWII P-51 Fighter!

This is your chance to fly in the same type of aircraft as some of our First Flight Society Honorees such as Brig. Gen. Charles Yeager, USAF, the “Red Tail” Tuskegee airmen, including Gen. Benjamin Davis, USAF (the 2022 Honoree), and Brig. Gen. Charles McGee, USAF, as well as such other famous National Shrine Honorees as Col. Jacqueline Cochran, USAF (Former WASP), and Maj. Gen. Robert White, USAF. The First Flight Society is offering an exhilarating P-51 flight experienc in “Red Nose” operated by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Airbase Georgia. The winner can schedule the experience up to 12 months after winning and the prize award includes $700 towards your expenses to travel to Peachtree City, GA for the experience. 

Click Here for More Information
Special Offer for members and friends of the First Flight Society! Use the promo code WINME for a chance to win the P-51 model and get  25% more tickets!
CAF Airbase Georgia’s P-51 Mustang “Red Nose”,  the aircraft you will fly in if you win the sweepstakes!
FLASH Contest! Enter to win your chance to Fly in a P-51 by October 31st and you will get a chance to win this P-51 Mustang model!

Use the promo code WINME to get 25% more free entries!
Entry amounts range from $25 for 10 tickets to $2000 for 2600 tickets!
Enter Now With Promo Code: WINME
All proceeds from this sweepstakes support the nonprofit First Flight Society dedicated to preserving the history of the Wright Brothers. Your support ensures that the society can continue to share this history with you and the public. Thank you! 
Promo code can not be applied to previous donations. 
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The Last Pilot Ace

50 Years Ago – The Last Pilot Ace

(Well, until Maverick)

By Retired USAF Colonel Paul Carr

From the air battles of Southeast Asia 23 airmen emerged with the title “Ace”. Of those, 17 were North Vietnamese, 1 was Soviet, and 5 were United States airmen. 50 years ago, between May 10 and August 28, 1972 Captain Richard “Steve” Ritchie, Reidsville, NC ‘s native son, became the only United States Air Force pilot to achieve Ace status (*). He will likely be the last.

       “Ace” is the title bestowed on those downing 5 enemy aircraft in air-to-air combat. During World War I the press first used the term when referring to French pilot Adolphe Pegoud who scored his 5th kill in July 1915. The romance of aerial combat quickly took over and made legends of young men fighting with the newest weapon of war high above the trenches of Europe. German Barron Von Richtofen, “The Red Baron” and American Eddie Rickenbacker became the basis of propaganda efforts to romanticize an unpopular war. The public found new heroes in these daredevils and their airplanes.  

            Between wars aircraft improved, flying faster, higher, farther – their weapons more reliable and more lethal. But the mano a mano ideas of aerial combat still loomed large. Germany led the way but as the air war expanded United States technology and training caught up and the rollcall of American Aces grew. Leading US Ace was Major Dick Bong with 40 victories against Japanese airmen. Robin Olds achieved Ace status with 12 kills and added 4 more while flying in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

            Props gave way to jet engines and guns to missiles and rockets. Additional airmen were added to single pilot crews, referred to as the Weapon System Operator (WSO or Wizzo), Radar Intercept Officer (RIO), or simply the GIB (guy in back). High speeds combined with radar and electronic identification expanded the combat airspace. The arena, the weapons, the chariots changed, but not the egos of young men anxious to earn the title “Ace”.

            While Ritchie’s victories spanned a relatively short period, his life and early military career hinted at a confident overachiever. He is remembered in his hometown for being a star high school quarter back, his overall athletic prowess, and his determination to compete. Suffering through two broken legs he still returned to play. After receiving an appointment to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs he fought his way into a starting half-back position as a walk-on. In his senior year the Academy played in the 1963 Gator Bowl losing to his home state’s University of North Carolina 35-0. It was probably Ritchie’s last defeat.

            After receiving his commission as a Second Lieutenant he continued to compete and excel. He graduated at the top of his class from Under Graduate Pilot Training and was assigned to an F-104 Test Squadron located at Eglin AFB, Florida. From there he transitioned to the F-4 Phantom II and completed his first tour of duty in Vietnam.

            Ritchie’s superb aviation skills were noted by his commanders and following his Vietnam tour he was assigned to the Air Force Fighter Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nevada. Again, he excelled and was invited to stay on as an instructor.

            His thirst for more action led him to volunteer for a second Vietnam tour and attachment to the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron. The “Triple Nickel” was already legendary with World War II and Korean veteran Robin Olds leading the headlines. Though new to the squadron Captain Ritchie was a well-known commodity who received mixed reviews from his colleges. Robin Olds called him a “brilliant” pilot who thought of himself as “God’s gift”, cocky and egotistical. Other’s described him as intelligently aggressive. Did Steve Ritchie have a big ego? Without doubt. Was he any different from the others competing in the high-G, high speed world of air-to-air combat? Not at all.

May 10, 1972 – Victory number 1

            On May 8, after over 200 combat sorties Ritchie finally found himself in a position to notch his first MiG kill. Fortune played on both sides of the results. He was flying as wingman when lead’s weapons malfunctioned just as their flight moved into firing position behind an enemy aircraft. Protocol required Ritchie to maneuver into position and fire his weapons. Moments before release a low fuel warning sounded requiring immediate return to base. Loss of the opportunity for his first victory, the destruction of an enemy aircraft, and the elimination of a threat to American soldiers and airmen was still bothering him when he attended the morning briefing on May 10.

            Linebacker was the operational code name for bombing targets to the north around Hanoi. When one of the F-4 pilots assigned to provide cover for the attacking bombers failed to show up, Ritchie was more than happy to fill in. Besides the obvious opportunity for more air-to-air action, Flight Lead was Maj. Bob Lodge, an Air Force Academy classmate and friend. Ritchie, along with WSO Capt. Chuck DeBellvue, would be number 3 in the formation, Lodge and wingman 1st Lt. John Markle would be 1 and 2. Oyster Flight was programed to patrol near MiG-rich Vietnamese airfields allowing them to intercept enemy fighters before they could threaten the bombers.

            Once on-station, both an EC-121 Airborne Warning and Control aircraft and a Naval picket-radar ship warned Lodge of approaching MiG-21s. What they failed to see was a trailing flight of MiG-19s hoping to catch American fighter crews totally focused on the leading MiGs and unaware of their presence. The first 2 F-4s in Oyster flight managed to shoot down 2 of the MiG-21s. Ritchie and Debellevue launched 2 sparrow missiles and got one more. In the melee Lodge and his WSO fell victim to one of the trailing MiG-19s. Steve Ritchie had his first aerial victory but the joy was lost along with his friend.

May 31, 1972 – Victory number 2

            On May 31 Ritchie and Weapon System Operator Lawrence Pettit were part of a deception of their own. Flying in from the Gulf of Tonkin toward a target area north of Haiphong, they employed a commonly known call sign used by unarmed aircraft designed to protect inbound bombers by deploying radar confusing “chaff”.  An unsuspecting flight of MiGs began pursuing them even as Ritchie and company were being radar vectored in behind and below them. When Pettit announced a radar lock, Richie launched 2 AIM-7s. Only one operated correctly. It was enough and another red star was painted on the side of his F-4.

July 8, 1972 – Victory 3 and 4

            From the last of June until the first week of July the North Vietnamese Air Force proved how lethal it could be, downing 7 F-4s against 0 loses of their own. Seventh Air Force tacticians believed the trend could be reversed with additional radar coverage. Another EC-121 AWACS was stationed over the Gulf of Tonkin.

            Flying lead in the less familiar but gun-equipped F-4E’s, Ritchie’s “Paula” flight was directed by the 121 toward a group of enemy aircraft returning to base after engaging and damaging American aircraft west of Phu Tho. A controller aboard the AWACS warned Paula flight of enemy aircraft virtually on top of their position. Suddenly Ritchie spotted a MiG in his 10 o’clock and aggressively turned for a head-on pass. Recalling the lessons learned on May 10, he did not immediately turn in behind but waited to check for trailing bogeys. His judgement proved sound as he spotted another MiG lagging behind and commenced an aggressive left turn to the enemies 6 o’clock position. At the same time the MiG began an unexpected right turn further reducing the distance and putting Ritchie’s F-4 outside of the AIM-7’s firing parameters. Experience and training kicked in. Ritchie pulled the nose into a vertical climb increasing distance between the 2 combatants and permitting a marginal firing solution. MiG number 3 was history.

            While this was happening MiG 1 maneuvered behind one of the other F-4s in Paula flight. This could have ended badly had not Ritchie and DeBellevue quickly turned back behind the attacker and fired another AIM-7. Seeing his position deteriorate, the remaining enemy turned and dove away. Believing the AIM-7 had missed and with the distance closing, Ritchie prepared to fire the F-4E’s guns. But the missile had performed adequately and MiG number 4 exploded 1 minute and 29 seconds after his wingman. Ritchie was 1 MiG kill away from becoming an Ace, but he was not the only one.

            On July 29th another Air Force F-4 pilot, Captain Jeffrey S. Feinstein, recorded his 4th victory. In mid-June each pilot had a 5th kill denied by Seventh Air Force’s Enemy Aircraft Claims Evaluation Board. Palpable excitement and tension spread among the cadre of American fighter pilots and the competition was on.

August 28, 1972 – 5th Victory

            Ritchie was lead in a flight of 4 F-4s assigned to provide combat cover for a bombing strike north of Hanoi. Radar operators identified MiG-21s 30 miles to the southwest of the city. DeBellevue verified the threatening aircraft at 25,000 feet causing Ritchie to order a climb to higher altitude and increased speed.

When visual contact was made DeBellevue read out closure rates on the enemy aircraft while Ritchie began a climbing turn into firing position. His initial salvo of 2 Sparrow missiles missed. Realizing he was under attack the MiG began an evasive turn. Instead of improving his position he actually allowed Ritchie and DeBellevue to move in closer and fire again, this time hitting the target. Steve Ritchie was officially an Ace.

            Knowing he would be a prime target during any subsequent air battles, command authorities immediately transferred him out of the theater. Back seater Chuck DeBellvue achieved Ace status a few days later and was also transferred out.

                        In the early days of aviation opposing pilots could see each other, close enough to wave or salute a sign of respect. But it was still a deadly dance where only the bold, brave, or lucky survived. Technology eliminated the personal nature of air battle and substituted blips on a radar screen. Drones and long-range radar guided missiles cost a fraction of the millions spent on each modern fighter. In the future military forces will think long and hard before risking even one manned airborne weapon system. The world of aerial-Aces, ruled by the larger than life egos of Von Richtofen and Rickenbacker, is over.

                        50 years ago, Reidsville, NC native Captain Steve Ritchie became the first and only Air Force Pilot Ace of Vietnam, the last of a bygone era.

*(There were 3 WSO and RIO Aces during Vietnam. Navy Lieutenant Randle “Duke” Cunnigham was the only other pilot Ace. Captain Steve Ritchie was the only United States Air Force Pilot Ace)

Win a Once in a Lifetime Experience to fly in a WWII P-51 Fighter!

Enter today for your chance to fly in a WWII P-51 Fighter!

This is your chance to fly in the same type of aircraft as some of our First Flight Society Honorees such as Brig. Gen. Charles Yeager, USAF, the “Red Tail” Tuskegee airmen, including Gen. Benjamin Davis, USAF (the 2022 Honoree), and Brig. Gen. Charles McGee, USAF, as well as such other famous National Shrine Honorees as Col. Jacqueline Cochran, USAF (Former WASP), and Maj. Gen. Robert White, USAF. The First Flight Society is offering an exhilarating P-51 flight experienc in “Red Nose” operated by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Airbase Georgia. The winner can schedule the experience up to 12 months after winning and the prize award includes $700 towards your expenses to travel to Peachtree City, GA for the experience. The winner can also schedule the ride to coincide with one of the CAF Airbase Georgia’s many events to expand upon the experience. See upcoming events at https://airbasegeorgia.org/events/.

The ride will be in P-51 Red Nose, the aircraft that started the Commemorative Air Force! “Old Red Nose” has had a long and colorful history, dating back to the closing days of World War II. It was produced at the North American Aviation plant in Inglewood, California, and rolled out on 11 April 1945, and was accepted by the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) as serial number 44-73843.

Red Nose is painted with the markings of the 334th FS, 4th FG, 8th AF, the pilot was Capt. David W. Howe, January 1945. He flew with 334th FS from 22/9/43 until 30/3/45 when returned to the U.S. with 500 combat hours in two tours without an abort. The 334th Fighter Squadron was the successor to No. 71 Eagle squadron of the Royal Air Force when the 4th Fighter Group was activated on 12 September 1942. They were based at Debden Field, Essex.

In the event the CAF Airbase Georgia P-51 Red Nose is not available to the winner during the 12-month award period, the First Flight Society will provide an alternate prize of $3,500 to the winner.

Celebrate National Aviation Day with First Flight Society on August 19, 2022

NAD 2021

The First Flight Society announced the 4th annual National Aviation Day at Dare County Regional Airport on August 19th, 2022. The event runs from 10AM-3PM and features Airplane Displays, Exhibitors, and Food Trucks. The mission of the celebration is to provide a fun and educational experience promoting, honoring, and celebrating the accomplishments of the Wright Brothers and helping educate the world about aviation. NAD is a free event aimed at all ages.

NAD is also Orville Wright’s birthday. Former president Franklin D. Roosevelt was the creator of National Aviation Day, deciding for the first time in 1939 that the nation should celebrate the growth and advancements being made in aviation.

Our keynote speaker will be historian Larry Tise. His presentation is titled “The Elusive Orville Wright from Kitty Hawk and Beyond.

Another highlight will be Warbird rides. To combine the First Flight Society observation of National Aviation Day and the mission of the Commemorative Air Force, the Capital Wing will bring the queen of its fleet, a TBM-3E Avenger named “Doris Mae” on August 19th and 20th and provide warbird rides to the public. Advance purchases of rides in the TBM can be made online at: www.capitalwingwarbirdrides.org.

Confirmed exhibitors include Kitty Hawk Kites, Civil Air Patrol, Military Aviation Museum, Elizabeth City State University, Dare County Radio Control Flyers, AOPA, Dare County and Tubbs Hot Dogs.

Dare County Regional airport (MQI) is located at 410 Airport Road, Manteo, NC 27954.

Additional information can be found at www.nationalaviationday.org.

The Kill Devil Hills Memorial Association, later named First Flight Society, began as a group of local businessmen who successfully petitioned the US Congress to fund and build a monument to the Wright Brothers’ 1903 achievement.

The FFS plans an annual celebration at the Wright Brothers National Memorial on December 17th to memorialize the accomplishments of the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk, NC.

Your Chance To Win a 2022 Jeep Wrangler 392 with a 6.4L HEMI V8 engine!

The Rubicon 392 is the ONLY WRANGLER with a 6.4L HEMI® V8 engine. This Jeep is highly sought after, and we have one on hand to give away to one lucky winner! This Rubicon comes in Silver Zynith Clear coat exterior and a Black interior with Leather trimmed bucket seats, 8-speed automatic transmission and LT285/70R17C OWL off-road tires. These cars typically sell for a premium over the $79,380 list price. You can no longer order a 2022 392 in any form.


The Sweepstakes began on June 30, 2022 and ends at 10:00am EST on December 17, 2022 (“Sweepstakes
Period”). Entries received outside this time will be ineligible and will be discarded. The Sweepstakes for the prize or prizes will be conducted by the Organization at 12:00pm EST on December 17, 2022 at Wright Brothers National Memorial, 1000 N Croatan Hwy, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27949. The winner need not be present to win.

Proceeds from this sweepstakes go to support the First Flight Society, a nonprofit organization working to
preserve the history of the Wright brothers.The First Flight Society celebrates aviation history and
achievements through programs, activities, education and the arts.


Thank you to our Sponsor Carolina Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Elizabeth City, NC! They have the Jeep
on display right now! Visit https://carolinachrysler.com


Enter the Jeep 392 Sweepstakes at https://www.tapkat.org/first-flight-society-inc


The Sweepstakes is open to anyone 18 years or older.

Warbird Rides Available as Part of National Aviation Day Celebration August 19th-20th, 2022

KITTY HAWK, N.C. – July 5, 2022 — As part of the First Flight Society Celebration of National Aviation Day at Dare County Regional Airport in Manteo, NC on August 19th, the Capital Wing of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) will be providing warbird rides in its 1945 General Motors TBM Avenger torpedo bomber.

The TBM Avenger is much the same as the 1903 Wright Flyer. It was wings. And an engine. But that is where the commonality ends. The Wright Flyer’s engine produced 12hp. The Avenger’s 14-cylinder radial engine produces 1,900hp. The first flight travelled 120 feet. The Avenger’s wingspan is half that distance at 54 feet and has a range of 900 miles. The Wright’s airplane had fixed wings. The Avenger’s wings fold back against the fuselage. However, there is something else in common between the Wright Flyer and the TBM Avenger: both flew with one pilot, or aviator, if you prefer the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps/Coast Guard term.

August 19 is National Aviation Day (NAD) celebrating the development of aviation. The holiday was established in 1939 by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who issued a presidential proclamation which designated the anniversary of Orville Wright’s birthday to be National Aviation Day.

There is a is a tie to the airport itself. During WWII it was a U. S. Naval Auxiliary Air Station (NAAS) commissioned on March 3, 1943 and used for special training of Navy squadrons including TBM Avengers, making this a form of homecoming for this TBM.

The Capital Wing is an all-volunteer 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in Culpeper, VA with over 100 members and is a Unit of the CAF whose mission is to educate, inspire, and honor through flight and living history experiences.

The CAF was founded to acquire, restore and preserve in flying condition a complete collection of combat aircraft which were flown by all military services of the United States, and selected aircraft of other nations, for the education and enjoyment of present and future generations of Americans.

To combine the First Flight Society observation of National Aviation Day and the mission of the Commemorative Air Force, the Capital Wing will bring the queen of its fleet, a TBM-3E Avenger named “Doris Mae” on August 19th and 20th and provide warbird rides to the public. Advance purchases of rides in the TBM can be made online at https://www.capitalwingwarbirdrides.org/s/shop

We can think of no better way to celebrate National Aviation Day than taking a TBM Ride, especially for a WWII Aviation Enthusiast or Military Veteran. You will be experiencing flight operations from this very airport similar to being there during WWII.

For more information visit us at https://nationalaviationday.org