First Flight Foundation

First Flight Foundation The First Flight Foundation, formerly The First Flight Centennial Foundation, is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization.

The First Flight Foundation, formerly known as the First Flight Centennial Foundation, continues as a private, non-profit organization whose mission is to assist the National Park Service in enhancing the visitor experience at Wright Brothers National Memorial. Beginning as the First Flight Centennial Foundation, we worked with the National Park Service to raise funds for needed capital improvemen

ts at Wright Brothers National Memorial and to ensure a legacy of improvements at the Park. The National Park Service and the State of North Carolina partnered with the Foundation to present an outstanding Centennial celebration in December 2003. The 2003 centennial was fortunate to have the endorsement and support of aviation pioneer Harry Combs, and his gift to the American people of a 1903 Wright Flyer reproduction. Mr Combs was one of the 100 Aviation Heroes honored on December 16, 2003, during the Celebration. This assistance has taken the form of raising funds for providing physical improvements that were completed as a prelude to the First Flight Centennial Celebration at Wright Brothers National Memorial in December, 2003. In 2008, the foundation in conjunction with NPS performed the first major repairs on the monument in over 10 years. The facelift included cleaning the interior and exterior of the monument; repointing the mortar; painting the stairs, rework of the dome and beacon; replacement of the mechanical and electrical systems, and the addition of a new external lighting scheme to enhance the architectural design on the granite. Other improvements, educational programs and exhibits that will enlighten the public on the importance of the lives and accomplishments of Wilbur and Orville Wright will be considered for future projects.

05/29/2026

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Cooool.
05/27/2026

Cooool.

On Friday, May 29th, we're unveiling the one-of-a-kind Fly with the Blues Simulator, exclusively at the National Naval Aviation Museum!
Strap in as the pilot of Blue Angel #4 and fly in formation over Pensacola in a full-scale cockpit replica with 3-axis motion simulation. The most realistic Blue Angels experience you can fly, and you won't find it anywhere else.

05/25/2026

MAY 25, 1910

Orville takes his father, 82 years old, for his first
airplane ride, a flight of six minutes 55 seconds, reaching an
altitude of 350 feet.

Flight made by Wilbur and Orville together, Orville
piloting, the only occassion the two brothers were in the air
at the same time.

Remember our Fallen, Share their stories. In Flanders FieldsJohn McCrae - 1872-1918 In Flanders fields the poppies blow...
05/25/2026

Remember our Fallen, Share their stories.

In Flanders Fields
John McCrae - 1872-1918
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

The WWI Origins of the Poppy as a Remembrance Symbol | HISTORY

05/20/2026

On This Day in History — May 20, 1932
Ninety-four years ago today, Amelia Earhart climbed into the cockpit of her bright red Lockheed Vega and made history.

On May 20, 1932, Amelia Earhart set out to become the first woman to fly nonstop and solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Departing from Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, she landed in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, approximately 15 hours later — making her only the second person ever to solo the Atlantic, after Charles Lindbergh in 1927.
The feat made Earhart an instant worldwide sensation and proved she was a courageous and able pilot.

But her connection to women in aviation ran deeper than record-breaking flights. Earhart helped found the Ninety-Nines — the women’s flying organization that continues to champion licensed women pilots around the world to this day.

She didn’t just fly — she opened doors, broke barriers, and made the sky a place where women belonged.
Here’s to the bold ones.

Looking forward to the next chapter.
05/20/2026

Looking forward to the next chapter.

The Canadian Minister of National Defence announced yesterday that the Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be grounded indefinitely following the 2026 show season, with the CT-114 Tutor retired and a new aircraft procured for the team at a later date. 2026 will not only serve as the Snowbirds’ 55th anniversary season, but also as a send off for the long-lived Tutors.

Another great program for NC aviation.
05/20/2026

Another great program for NC aviation.

Elizabeth City-Pasquotank students now have dual enrollment access to Elizabeth City State University's popular aviation science curriculum, thanks to a memorandum signed last week.

Join our friends for this aviation festival.
05/18/2026

Join our friends for this aviation festival.

Are you a local resident looking for an activity that is fun for all ages?

Then come visit Dare County Radio Control Flyers at their flying field for the Outer Banks Festival of Model Aviation beginning at 10AM on Saturday, May 30th, and try flying a radio control airplane with an instructor pilot at no cost.

Local resident participants will receive a free raffle ticket and could win one of three radio control planes with a combined value of over $1,476 being awarded.

Admission is at least one non-perishable food item per person and benefits the Beach Food Pantry.

A lunch of grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, and beverages is included with admission.

The club's flying field is located at 1521 Link Road in Manns Harbor, and is accessible through the entrance of the Outer Banks Gun Club.

For more information, visit https://dcrcf.club, then come for a family-friendly day of fun and fly with us!

05/17/2026

Awesome! Make a visit!

Address

3118 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC
27948

Telephone

(252) 491-5165

Website

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