[Learning to fly] Wright Brothers Memorial
Location: Kill Devil Hills, NC
Hours: 9am to 6pm 7 days a week
Price: $3 per person


100th Anniversary of Flight
December 17, 2003
[old plane photo]

A grand celebration to honor the 100th Anniversary of the Wright Brothers' historic event, including a week-long series of activities, was held December 17, 2003. Guests included President George W. Bush, John Travolta, Chuck Yeager, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and John Glenn. Due to poor weather conditions, an attempt to reenact the first powered flight was unsuccessful. Musical performances throughout the week featured Michelle Branch, The Beach Boys, The Temptations, Lee Greenwood and Aaron Tippin. Click Here for photo highlights of the event. For more information please call the Wright Brothers National Memorial at 252.441.7430.

First Flight Society
Visit the First Flight Society online or call 252.441.2424.

After receiving advice from Outer Banks postmaster William J. Tate that the region "...would be a fine place; our winds are always steady generally from 10 to 20 miles velocity per hour." Tate clinched his pitch, "If you decide to try your machine here, I assure you - you will find hospitable people when you come among us."
So hospitable were the people of the Outer Banks that Orville and Wilbur continued their annual trips to North Carolina over the next four years, where their dreams came true on a blustery December morning.

The historic flights of that day are remembered at the Wright Brothers National Memorial. A 60 foot tall granite pylon on top of Kill Devil Hills stands as a tribute to the first flight. After retracing the paths of the four flights that Orville and Wilbur made that day, visitors can view a replica of the original plane as well as other exhibits about firsts in the world of flight.

There is a park entrance fee of $3.00 per person. Individuals 16 and under are free and visitors 62 and older are free with a valid Golden Age Passport. Visitors with a Golden Eagle Passport, a Golden Access Passport, or the Annual Wright Brothers Park Passport ($10), enter free. Passports may be purchased on site.

The spirit that powered the first flight remains a part of the Outer Banks. Just ask any visitor taking a hang gliding lesson at Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags Head.

*All photographs courtesy of Dare County Tourist Bureau*

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[Jockey's Ridge State Park

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