National Aviation Day 2024
August 19th, 2024 is the 85th Anniversary of NAD!
Honoring Orville and Katharine Wright on their birthdays. This will be Katharine’s 150th birthday!
*Brought to you by the First Flight Society and Wright Brothers National Memorial*
Exciting news! U.S. Coast Guard Airstation Elizabeth City will be displaying an H60 helicopter at Dare County Airport for #NationalAviationDay.
Dare County Airport– August 19th, 2024 10 AM-3 PM
Activities at Dare County Regional Airport
10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Visit with Wright Brothers National Memorial rangers at the Dare County Regional Airport, 410 Airport Road, Manteo, North Carolina. Rangers will offer information about Wright Brothers National Memorial in support of the National Aviation Day activities at the airport.
10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Everyone who flies in and shows off their plane can come to the First Flight Society booth and receive a T-shirt and a recognition certificate signed by a descendant of the Wright Brothers.
Wright Brothers National Memorial
11AM-10 PM
Activities at Wright Brothers National Memorial
11 a.m.-12 p.m.: “Wind and Sand” educational program with Ranger Adonis. Step back in history during this short walk to the actual site of the Wright brothers’ first powered flights. Discover why the Wrights chose Kitty Hawk for their flight experiments and what life was like in the Outer Banks. Learn about the events that led to the first powered flight on that cold December day, and the lasting impact their first flight continues to have on the world today.
1:30-2 p.m.: Park volunteer and aviation enthusiast Chip Walton explains the mechanics and wonders of flight in an engaging and understandable way. Meet Walton in the program tent.
2:30-3 p.m.: Local historian Danny Couch tells the stories of the other famous aviators to visit the Outer Banks, including Charles Lindbergh and Billy Mitchell. Meet Couch in the program tent.
3:30-4 p.m.: Admiral Joey Tynch (retired) shares stories from his career as a naval aviator and his current work as the instructor of the First Flight High School Aviation Program. Meet Tynch in the program tent.
7:15-8 p.m.: Explore the story of the Wright brothers and enjoy the sunset as you walk with Ranger Elizabeth to the top of Big Kill Devil Hill. The walk is a quarter of a mile each way. Meet on the back patio of the visitor center.
8:15-9:45 p.m.: Wright Brothers National Memorial will host a special outdoor showing of Disney’s animated movie, “Up,” rated PG. In this family favorite, 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen travels to Paradise Falls in his house equipped with balloons, inadvertently taking a young stowaway. Bring your own blankets and chairs to watch the movie under the stars. Rain date: August 22 at 8:15 p.m.
NAD Fly In
Everyone who flys in to Dare County Regional Airport between 9Am-2PM will receive a NAD Certificate and a T-Shirt!
Outdoor Family Movie at the Park
The evening’s outdoor movie “UP” will start around 8:15 PM. Bring your own blankets and chairs to watch the movie under the stars.
Scavenger Hunt
Children can win a free helicopter by completing a scavenger hunt featuring our exhibitors.
Celebrate Katharine Wright’s 150th Birthday!
Sing Happy Birthday and enjoy some Birthday Cake at the airport or the park.
Guest Speakers
Guest Speakers at WBNM in the afternoon include:
Chip Walton, Danny Couch and JT Tynch.
Wilbur Wright
FFS Board Member Paul Carr will appear as the “Spirit of Wilbur Wright”.
Live Broadcast
Bill Thomas and Cindy Maguire aka Bill and Cindy in the Morning from 102.5 The Shark broadcasting live from 11 am- 1 pm.
Enter to win a Helicopter Ride
Donate for tickets for a ride package from OBX Helicopters.
**Free Admission, free parking**
This year’s exhibitors:
- 102.5 The Shark
- Buffalo Distillery
- CoastWriter Publishing
- College of the Albemarle
- Crafted By Rylee
- Dare County EMS
- Dare County Government
- Dare County Radio Control Flyers
- Dare Youth Foundation
- Elizabeth City State University
- First Flight High School
- The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
- Kitty Hawk Kites
- Military Aviation Museum
- NASA Langley Research Center
- Outer Banks Hotline
- Outer Banks Promise
- Strata Clean Energy
- The Rogallo Foundation
- Wingman: The Francis Rogallo Story
- Wright Brothers National Memorial – NPS
- Wright Brothers USA
Some of the all-day events:
Vintage and modern aircraft on display
Airplane rides
Vendor displays
Food Trucks
Youth activities
Special appearances by “Wilbur Wright”
If you or your company would like to become a Sponsor of the First Flight Society’s National Aviation Day Celebration, please click below.
Vendors – would you like to be part of this exciting National Aviation Day?
We still have spots for one or two more food vendors. There is no charge for spaces, contact First Flight Society 252-441-1903 for more information.
We also still have space for display vendors. If you have a product or service that would be appropriate to display or sell at National Aviation Day, give us a call to make a reservation. There is no charge for vendor space.
Contact:
Mike Fonseca 804 677 4825