An authentic replica of the 1905 Wright Flyer III will return to take flight at Huffman Prairie Flying Field on Wright-PAtterson AFB (Ohio) Monday, Oct. 5.
The flight will re-enact one that took place Oct. 5, 1905, on the same 84 acres of prairie, when Wilbur Wright flew 24 miles in 39 minutes, circling the field 29 times, at an average speed of 38 miles per hour, said Julia Frasure, a park ranger and education specialist with the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park.
Vintage aircraft builder and pilot Mark Dusenberry, from Dennison, Ohio will make the flight using a hand-built aircraft and catapult system virtually identical in every respect to the one designed by Wilbur and Orville Wright 104 years ago.
The event is free and open to the public. An opening ceremony starts at 9:30 a.m. There is no seating, so visitors are invited come early, wear comfortable walking shoes, bring a lawn chair and a camera. Carpooling is encouraged.
Also on hand will be an exhibit celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the first plane to fly in Canada, the Silver Dart.
The event is hosted by the National Park Service, National Aviation Heritage Alliance and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, with the support of many partners. For more information visit www.nps.gov/daav or call (937) 425-0008 or (937) 225-7705.
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