Sunday was overcast, but VFR. Our one fly-in member and two passengers left Manteo for an aerial tour of Manteo and Duck, then circled the monument and landed at First Flight. We all gathered at the museum for an excellent ranger talk, and took an official Chapter photo in front of the Wright Flyer. We toured the exhibits in the new Ford-sponsored “temporary tents,” and hiked up the hill to the monument. The trip home was long and rainy, both by car and plane. The pilot and his passenger reported a smooth trip home, but added their appreciation of the availability of weather info at First Flight’s new flight-planning area.

Everyone had a great time. At First Flight, we learned how the Wrights compensated for the engine’s weight and off-center position by lengthening the right wing four inches. At Fort Raleigh, we learned about the early settlements of the Carolinas. Our Chapter president summed up the challenges faced on the Outer Banks this way: “How tough the Lost Colony settlers and Wilbur and Orville Wright had it while trying to settle a new colony and be the first to achieve powered flight. I can't imagine the ordeal the 117 men, women, and children endured traveling across the ocean from England and settling their colony on Roanoke Island, nor the physical effort the Wright Brothers endured tirelessly returning their glider back up the sand dunes to experience another flight while they were preparing for powered flight.”

Jay Figueroa
Vice President
EAA Chapter 1171