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.

08/25/2026
The shot of the morning. Photo credit Kathy Lassiter as shared by Melissa Mattingly.
08/25/2026

The shot of the morning. Photo credit Kathy Lassiter as shared by Melissa Mattingly.

08/21/2026

PTI has come a long way since 1927. 🛫🕰️

What began as Lindley Field has grown and evolved alongside the Piedmont Triad for nearly a century. From early passenger service to the airport we know today, there’s a lot of history behind every takeoff.

Take a look back at PTI’s story: https://flyfrompti.com/airport-history 📲

08/19/2026

National Aviation Day-August 19th

From the men of the First Flight:

"There is no greatest difficulty; there are a thousand problems in one, and as soon as you settle one yout tred on the toes of another."-Wilbur Wright.

"The inventor is always more interested in the development of the machine than in contests of skill or daring."-Wilbur Wright

On the future of the airplane:

"..it is never safe to prophesy."-Wilbur Wright
..for the greatest danger of aeroplaning is not the flying, but the landing.-Orville Wright

"Aviation has gone beyond my dreams."-Orville Wright

Extent of airplane development:
"There is no way of telling. Things are moving too fast. No one can predict where it will end." -Orville Wright

On May 11, 1939, the United States Congress adopted a resolution to set aside a special day each year to commemorate the...
08/19/2026

On May 11, 1939, the United States Congress adopted a resolution to set aside a special day each year to commemorate the contributions of the aircraft industry and to stimulate interest in aviation.

In accordance with this legislation, on July 25, 1939,
Phtt36 U.S.C. 118 - National Aviation Day.

By presidential proclamation in 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt designated August 19th, Orville Wright's birthday, National Aviation Day.

Roosevelt visited Dayton in October 1940, for a tour and parade. Orville accompanied him. In the conclusion of the parade, the president's vehicle began the turn to the winding driveway to Orville's home, Hawthorne Hill. The conscientious Orville wishing not to inconvenience the President, simply notified the chaffeur, got out and walked home.

For aviation historic sites, the aviation community, aviation enthusiasts, and aviation industry, we celebrate everyday.

Join the National Aviation Day celebrations in your arrea.

For First Flight, visit Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills, NC, and Dare County Regional Airport and the First Flight Society's NAD Celebration and Programs. Both are free events today.

08/18/2026
08/11/2026

A must visit!

Well done! Amazing! Role model.
08/09/2026

Well done! Amazing! Role model.

21-Year-Old Flight Instructor Awarded Sheriff’s Medal for Masterclass Emergency Landing

Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons recently presented the prestigious Sheriff's Medal to 21-year-old flight instructor Emily, honoring her for "exceptional skill and calm under pressure."

On the morning of August 3, She was instructing a student on his very first flight lesson in a 1974 Piper Cherokee. Cruising along, the situation quickly deteriorated as oil pressure plummeted, filling the cockpit with fumes.

"Our oil pressure is dropping down into the red and we do have fumes in the cockpit from the oil,"

Moments later, realizing the aircraft couldn't make the field, she calmly announced: "We're not making the airport, we're going down on I-10."

Dashcam footage captured the incredible skill that followed. Shelton threaded the powerless aircraft underneath an overhead highway sign gantry, expertly navigated around moving traffic, and greased a textbook landing on the eastbound lanes of Interstate 10 near mile marker 14.

No one was hurt - neither on the ground nor in the aircraft.

she had practiced this exact emergency scenario many times in simulation, never expecting to have to execute it for real.

This is a powerful reminder of why we drill, why we study, and why every single hour in the logbook matters. Huge congratulations to Emily for her textbook aviating, quick thinking, and keeping her student safe! 👏

Watch - https://www.facebook.com/reel/1023853077216335

Image: Escambia County Sheriff's Office

Address

3118 N Croatan Highway
Kill Devil Hills, NC
27948

Telephone

(252) 491-5165

Website

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