2019

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19 01, 2020

Colonel Gail S “Hal” Halvorsen

Inducted in 2019

70th Anniversary of the end of the Berlin Airlift

1920-2022

Colonel Gail Seymour “Hal” Halvorsen, best known as the “Berlin Candy Bomber” or “Uncle Wiggly Wings”, gained fame for dropping candy to German children during the Berlin Airlift from 1948 to 1949.   Colonel Halvorsen joined the United States Army Air Corp in 1942 after Pearl Harbor and trained on fighters with the Royal Air Force in Oklahoma, earning both his RAF and Army Air Corp wings. After the war, he was stationed in Mobile, AL when word came in that the Soviet Union had blockaded West Berlin. Arriving in Germany in July, 1948, Lieutenant Halvorsen’s role in the 15-month Berlin Airlift, labeled “Operation Vittles” was to fly three trips a day, mostly in C-54’s, from Rhein Main […]

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11 12, 2019

December 17th Celebration Itinerary

WELCOME TO THE

116TH ANNIVERSARY OF POWERED FLIGHT

Celebrating

The Legacy of Orville and Wilbur Wright

Honoring

The 70th Anniversary of the World War II Berlin Airlift

June 1948 – September 1949

December 17, 2019

Wright Brothers National Memorial Park

Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

TODAY’S PROGRAM

9:00 a.m.                                                       Park Gates Open to Visitors

                                                                            PRELUDE BAND CONCERT

                                                                            First Flight High School Band, Bob Ebert, Director

 

9:30 a.m.                                                                                   ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM

WELCOME & GUEST RECOGNITION       Arthur Lamothe, President, First Flight Society, Inc.

PRESENTATION OF COLORS                      Camden High School ROTC

NATIONAL ANTHEM                                     Walter Swan, Director – ECSU Choir

FLYOVER TRIBUTE TO                                 U.S. Navy C-40, U.S. Air Force […]

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5 11, 2019

116th Anniversary Sponsorship Opportunities

Organizations from the aviation community and area businesses sponsor and underwrite many First Flight Society activities and programs throughout the year, especially the December 17th anniversary celebration at the Wright Brothers National Memorial.   Members, sponsors and volunteers work to joyfully commemorate the legacy of Orville and Wilbur Wright.  This year we will honor Col. Gail Halvorsen, USAF (Ret), the “Candy Bomber”, as representative of the crews that participated in the Berlin Airlift on this 70th Anniversary of the completion of that great humanitarian effort. We cannot help others experience this important story without you.  Your support keeps the inspiration, adventure and exploring spirit alive for the next generation of aviation pioneers.  Thank you!

 

LEGACY SPONSOR – $10,000

  • Framed Certificate of First Flight Society Sponsorship
  • Sponsor listing in official Commemorative Program
  • Framed 8×10 photo of “The First Flight”
  • Subscription to THE FLYER, with full page ad in each issue […]
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    8 10, 2019

    October Membership Special!

    Members have always been an essential part of the First Flight Society. By joining FFS you become part of a community of people who care deeply about the legacy of the Wright Brothers, the Wright Brothers National Memorial and the future of aviation. Member by member, dollar by dollar, we are ensuring that future generations may enjoy this legacy and the Wright Brothers National Memorial.

    As part of your membership you receive:

    * Membership card
    * Society pin
    * 8 x 10 photo of the First Flight
    * Annual subscription to The Flyer
    * Discounts on FFS store items

    Join Now!

     

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    17 08, 2019

    Celebrate National Aviation Day with Us!

    CELEBRATE NATIONAL AVIATION DAY AND ORVILLE WRIGHT’S BIRTHDAY

     WITH THE FIRST FLIGHT SOCIETY!

    AUGUST 19TH

    9AM TO 2PM

    Dare County Airport (MQI)

     

    FREE AND FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

     

     

     

    FREE THINGS TO DO:

    • Meet members and learn about the First Flight Society
    • Aviation static displays: Navion, Caravans, Med Flight Helo, Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) C-172, and ECSU simulator
    • Learn about the ECSU STEM Progams
    • Visit the Airport Museum and learn about the WWII squadrons that had special training at NAAS Manteo (the origin of this airport).

     

    Weather permitting, the airport commercial operators will be offering the following opportunities for a fee:

    ·         Open cockpit biplane, helicopter and warbird tours over the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina!

    ·         Tandem Skydiving!

     

    410 Airport Road
    Manteo NC 27954

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