In the heart of Ohio, the City of Troy and WACO Air Museum prepare to celebrate a century of WACO aircraft. This 3-day event will bring WACO biplanes and other aircraft from across the United States and international destinations. The WACO 100th Anniversary Celebration – a Golden Fly-In takes place September 15th to 17th, and promises to be an unforgettable experience for aviation enthusiasts, history buffs, and families alike.

 

The WACO Aircraft Company (pronounced “wah-co”) has been an iconic name in aviation since its founding. The company is known for producing civilian biplanes in the 1930s and the largest producer of military gliders in World War II for the US Army and the Royal Air Force.

Each Day offers something new. Biplane Rides, Music, Kids Activities, Car Shows, Food Trucks, and more. See a full schedule here.

One of the highlights of the event will be a stunning display of historic WACO aircraft. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with these beautifully restored planes, many of which played pivotal roles in aviation history.

The event promises to keep visitors well-fed and entertained with a variety of food trucks, live music, and family-friendly activities. It is an aviation celebration and festival atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.

While onsite, explore the WACO Air Museum and Aviation Learning Center, which houses an impressive collection of aircraft, artifacts, and exhibits that tell the story of WACO and the evolution of aviation.

On behalf of the National Aviation Heritage Area, congratulations to the City of Troy and the WACO Air Museum. Best wishes for blue skies on your anniversary weekend.

 

Photo credit to Miami County Visitors Bureau

 

 

 

 

 

 

The National Aviation Heritage Area is proud to support the National Aeronautical Association (NAA) as they organize the 117th General Conference of the FÉDÉRATION AÉRONAUTIQUE INTERNATIONALE in October 2023.  The Heritage Area encourages conference attendees to plan additional days in Ohio before and/or after the conference to explore the region’s pivotal role in the history of aviation.

The conference in based at the University of Dayton Marriott hotel. For attendees, we have included suggestions below based on distance from the hotel.

 

 

If you have one (1) hour of time to explore a heritage site:

Carillon Historical Park – This site is walkable from the hotel, and would be less than 5 minutes by car. This 65-acre open-air museum includes the National Wright Brothers Museum. Check their site for business hours and admission fees.

Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum – The final resting place of the Wright brothers and other aviation pioneers is a 15-20 walk from the UD Marriott hotel, and is rigorous uphill climb. The drive to Woodland is less than 5 minutes.

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park – This National Park is free and welcomes visitors at 16 S. Williams St. See the 4th Wright brothers Cycle Shop and related exhibits. It is a 5 min drive from the hotel.

If you have 1 to 4 hours of time:

Wright State Special Collections & Archives – Located in the Wright State University Library, the Special Collections & Archives has the world’s largest paper collection of Wright brothers material. This site would be a 20-25 minute drive and would require a parking permit obtained at the front desk.

WACO Air Museum – Located 30 minutes north of the UD Marriott hotel, the WACO Air Museum shares the history of the Weaver Aircraft Company (WACO). WACO was the leader in general aviation manufacturing through the 1930s and produced aircraft for the First and Second World Wars.

Wright B Flyer – Located 30 minutes south of the UD Marriott hotel, this organization builds and flies look-a-like Wright brother aircraft. Please refer to their website for open days and hours.

Huffman Prairie Flying Field – Part of the National Historical Park, Huffman Prairie Flying Field is roughly a 30 minute drive from the hotel. See where the Wright brothers perfected flight and operated the Wright Flight School in the early 1900s.

If you have a full day:

In Urbana, Ohio, you can visit three sites at one location. Urbana is roughly 45 minutes by car from the hotel. Please note that each site maintains independent business hours. Please confirm your visit before traveling.
Champaign Aviation Museum
Mid-America Flight Museum – Restoration Hangar
Grimes Flying Laboratory

Armstrong Air & Space Museum – This museum is located 1 hour and 30 minutes from the hotel. Please plan accordingly. The museum celebrated the life and accomplishments of United States astronaut, Neil Armstrong, the first person to step on the moon.

General Resourses:

Use the Heritage Area’s itinerary tool to build your route with driving instructions. Or explore the featured itineraries on the same page.

Consider reviewing the aviation sites in the Heritage Area. A downloadable brochure is available.

 

 

A shared love of aviation heritage and investment in aviation’s future creates a solid foundation for the sister city relationship between the City of Dayton and the Borough of Rushmoor (UK).

Delegation with City of Dayton flag

In 2019, the City of Dayton and the Rushmoor Borough entered a formal sister city (or twinning) agreement. Since then delegations from both places have traveled over the pond to learn, grow, and help each other. In July 2022, the National Aviation Heritage Area was invited to travel as part of the delegation.

Learn more about the Dayton’s Sister Cities here.

What emerged from NAHA’s trip is a kindship as Rushmoor promotes England’s rich aviation heritage and an appreciation for their premier aviation heritage sites. I will share my favorite places. For the serious adventurer, I suggest downloading the Farnborough Heritage Trail App.

Farnborough is a quick and easy 30min train ride from central London.

Can a hotel be your first stop on an aviation heritage trail? Yes. This stylish hotel has a top floor Skybar to watch planes take-off and land at the Farnborough Airport. The hotel is busy during the air show, but I got a table and delicious meal with no waiting. Prior to the hotel, the location was the site of the Royal Air Force Officers’ Mess.

The portable airship hangar was erected by the British Army in 1912 and originally covered in canvas to test and protect airships. When the RAF pivoted from airships to aircraft, the structure was used as walls for a forge and foundry where the female workforce cut, sewed, and doped the skins of aircraft for World War I. Today, the hangar is the centerpiece of a landscaped open space in the Business Park. It’s a choice place to photograph.

Two more resources for your planning are the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust (FAST) and the Farnborough Centrifuge websites.

And let’s be real, here are the must-visit restaurants featured in the gallery below: The Swan and The Mill at Elstead

The sister city relationship between Dayton and Rushmoor is just getting started, but I can’t wait to return and discover more of the Aviation Heritage Trail. Here are a few more images of what you can experience in Rushmoor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wright Route is a travel initiative between Ohio and North Carolina partners for people who want to travel in the footsteps of the Wright Brothers between the two states.

From Dayton, Ohio (The Birthplace of Aviation) to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina (First in Flight), Wright Route covers everything in between. Are you ready to travel like the Wright Brothers did?

Back in the early 1900s, the Wright brothers took most of the trip by train. Today, that’s no longer an option, but we’ve provided a general outline of destinations to get you started.

If you’re feeling adventurous, travel the route the Wright Brothers took between North Carolina and Ohio, and discover the many hidden gems that influenced the Wright brothers and their quest for flight. Buckle Up! It’s about to be quite the journey!

Developed in partnership between the National Aviation Heritage Area, Outer Banks Forever, and First Flight Society with additional support by the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park and Wright Brothers National Memorial, Wright Route will help you plan an aviation-enthusiast trip.

The Wright brothers’ story begins in their hometown of Dayton. It was there that Orville and Wilbur Wright owned a bicycle shop and first studied flight. Two years after their successful heavier-than-air powered flight in 1903, the brothers developed and flew the Wright Flyer III, the world’s first practical, fully controllable airplane.

There are many great places to visit in the Dayton area when it comes to invention, innovation, and literature.

Other cities on the Wright Route include Cincinnati, Ohio where you can join the great debate between Cincinnati chili styles of Skyline or Gold Star. Travel on to Norfolk, VA, Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and then finally reach the sandy beach of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Or do the trip in reverse.

See Wright Route for further details and additional information on how to cycle the route.

 

 

Dayton, Ohio – The National Heritage Area Act (S. 1942) has been signed into law enabling the National Aviation Heritage Area in Southwest Ohio to continue its long-term support of the region and Ohio’s rich aviation and aerospace heritage. The bill was passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a bi-partisan vote of 326-95 on December 22, 2022. Days earlier, the Senate passed the same bill by unanimous consent which required that there be no objections from any of the 100 Senators.

“The pioneering spirit and technological advancements of the Wright brothers, and those who followed in their footsteps are reflected throughout the eight counties in Western Ohio that make up the National Aviation Heritage Area,” said Senator Sherrod Brown. “It’s a privilege to represent a state with such significance in the history of flight, and I’m proud to ensure that federal support for the National Aviation Heritage Area will continue.”

This legislation creates a standard criterion for the funding, management, and designation of all National Heritage Areas across the country. The National Aviation Heritage Area is one of 55 established National Heritage Areas in the United States and US territories. Furthermore, the legislation makes the National Aviation Heritage Area eligible for federal funding through 2037.

The National Aviation Heritage Area creates a forum of collaboration and cooperation for the numerous heritage assets in its 8-county region. The board, staff, and partners advance regional projects and programs to preserve and promote the region for cultural heritage tourism and economic development. For example, a recent success was leading the project team that secured the National Park Service World War II American Heritage City designation for Montgomery County (City of Dayton and surroundings).

“The next few years will be an exciting time in the National Aviation Heritage Area,” shared executive director, Mackensie Wittmer. “This year is the 100th anniversary of both the National Museum of United States Air Force and of the WACO aircraft company in Troy, Ohio. In 2024, the region will be in the path of totality for the solar eclipse and our Heritage Area partners are already preparing to host umbraphiles (eclipse enthusiasts). And in 2026, the nation and Ohio will be celebrating America250, or 250 years of the United States. Aviation and aerospace will play a large role in the national and State of Ohio themes.” Wittmer continued on to thank the federal delegation that supported this legislation. The legislation was advanced by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and supported by Sen. Sherrod Brown, Sen. Rob Portman, Rep. Michael Turner, Rep. Steve Chabot, and Rep. Mike Carey.

 

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The National Aviation Heritage Area is the recognized center of aviation heritage tourism and aerospace innovation, sustaining the legacy of the Wright Brothers. Our mission is to preserve and develop the assets in the National Aviation Heritage Area and promote the heritage and future of aerospace. www.visitNAHA.com

Media Contact: Mackensie Wittmer, Executive Director | [email protected] | 937.626.8816

Orville and Wilbur are legendary innovators known all around the world for good reason – they invented the airplane and taught the world to fly! As we begin another year where travel by flight will continue more than ever, we thought you might enjoy a few fun facts about the Wright Brothers. Some of these things you may already know and a few things that may surprise you!

1 – The Wright brothers were raised and lived most of their lives in Dayton. Wilbur was born near Millville, Indiana and Orville was born in Dayton. The family briefly moved to Iowa in 1878, then Richmond, Indiana in 1881, before returning to Dayton in 1884. The brothers would then spend the remainder of their lives in Dayton.

2 – Thanks to a coin toss, Orville was the first brother airborne. The brothers tossed a coin to see who would first test the Wright Flyer on the sands of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. Older brother Wilbur won the toss, but his first attempt failed. Orville went second and managed to fly for 12 seconds. Later that day, Wilbur flew their plane for 59 seconds, over a distance of 852 feet.

3 – A toy launched their flying obsession. When the brothers were youngsters in 1878, their father returned home one evening with a gift that he tossed into the air. “Instead of falling to the floor, as we expected,” the brothers recalled in a 1908 magazine article, “it flew across the room till it struck the ceiling, where it fluttered awhile, and finally sank to the floor.” The model helicopter made of cork, bamboo and paper and powered by a rubber band mesmerized the boys and sparked their passion for aviation.

4 – Neither brother received a high school diploma or ever married. Wilbur finished four years of high school, but the family moved from Richmond, Indiana, to Dayton, Ohio, before he could receive his diploma. Orville, although intellectually curious, dropped out of high school before his senior year to launch a printing business. The tight-knit brothers, born four years apart, were wedded to their continued work; Wilbur told reporters that he didn’t have time for both a wife and an airplane.

5 – The Wright brothers once printed a daily newspaper together. In 1889, Orville and Wilbur started a newspaper printing business, publishing a weekly, and later a daily, newspaper – they even designed and built their own printing presses! In 1892 they opened a bicycle repair shop to capitalize on the national bicycle craze. They designed their own bicycle with custom features like an oil-retaining wheel hub and coaster brakes, things still used today in many modern bikes. Their bicycle business financed their work on inventing the world’s first controlled flight of a power-driven, manned, heavier-than-air plane.

6 – The Wright Flyer I cost about $1,000 to build. The Wright brothers financed the plane entirely by themselves. The framework was made of spruce, with twin “pusher” propellers and a specially designed engine, cast mainly from lightweight aluminum. It was the first controlled and powered flying machine that could fly with the weight of humans. From this design, the modern airplane was born!

7 – The Wright brothers flew together just one time. Orville and Wilbur had promised their father, who feared losing both sons in an airplane accident, they would never fly together. The father made a single exception, however, on May 25, 1910, and allowed the brothers to share a six-minute flight near Dayton with Orville piloting and Wilbur the passenger. After landing, Orville took his 82-year-old father on his first and only flight. As Orville gained elevation, his excited father cried out, “Higher, Orville, higher!”

8 – After the first day airborne, the 1903 Wright Flyer never flew again. The brothers made four flights in the Wright Flyer on December 17, 1903, and as Orville and Wilbur stood discussing the final flight, a sudden strong gust of wind caught hold of the aircraft and flipped it several times. The aircraft sustained such heavy damage to its ribs, motor and chain guides that it was beyond repair. The Wright Flyer was crated back to Dayton and never flew again.

9 – Orville was involved in the first fatal aviation accident. After their success in 1903, the Wright brothers continued their aircraft development. They marketed their two-passenger Wright Military Flyer to the U.S. Army, which required a demonstration. On September 17, 1908, Orville took to the air for a demonstration flight at Fort Myer, Virginia, with Army Signal Corps Lieutenant Thomas Selfridge as a passenger. Just a few minutes into the flight, the propeller suddenly disintegrated, the aircraft spiraled out of control and it smashed into the ground at full speed. Rescuers pulled an unconscious Selfridge from the wreckage, and the lieutenant died hours later. Orville was hospitalized for six weeks after suffering a broken leg, four broken ribs and a back injury that impaired him for the rest of his life.

10 – Neil Armstrong carried a piece of the Wright Flyer with him to the moon. When another aeronautical pioneer from Ohio, Neil Armstrong, became the first man to step foot on the moon in 1969, inside his space suit pocket was a piece of muslin fabric from the left wing of the original 1903 Wright Flyer along with a piece of wood from the airplane’s left propeller.

 

As Ohio and North Carolina continue to feud over their legacy of which is actually the “Birthplace of Aviation”, we hope that you will continue to learn and spread the great history of the Wright Brothers and all that they had accomplished to help make travel what it is today.

 

 

 

As of January 2023, there are several EV charging stations at or near National Aviation Heritage Area sites. While you charge, enjoy the attractions and amenities available. Check back here as you plan your trip to and through the Heritage Area. Additional EV charging stations are planned for installation this year.

Below are 4 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations located onsite or near of some of the top Heritage Area Historic Sites.

Airstream Heritage Center and Factory Tour

New in 2022, the Airstream Heritage Center and Factory Tour in Jackson Center, Ohio is located a few minutes off I-75. The EV charging station is located in the parking lot near the front door. Check their website for hours of operation and the factory tour schedule. Note there is a Starbucks open in the lobby with drinks and snacks. The site also features a sizable Airstream gift shop.

  • Address: 106 W Pike St, Jackson Center, OH 45334
  • Connector Type : J1772
  • Highest Charging Option – Level 2

Airstream Charging Station

 

National Museum of the United States Air Force

Your car will be charged and ready to roll before you finish your visit to the National Museum of the United States Air Force. The largest and oldest military aviation museum features multiple food options, an extensive retail shop, theater, and simulators. If you need more time, the outdoor park is an active Pokémon Go area.

  • Address: 1100 Spaatz St., Dayton, OH 45431
  • Pricing: Free
  • Connector Type : J1772
  • Highest Charging Option – Level 2

NMUSAF Charging Station

 

Carillon Historical Park

Enjoy strolling through the park’s 25 historical buildings including the Wright Brothers National Museum. This site has a restaurant, brewery, and large gift shop on site. Carillon Park is a 5-10 minute walk from the charging station.

  • Charging Station Located at the Marriott at the University of Dayton (1414 S Patterson Blvd, Dayton, OH 45409)
  • Pricing: Free
  • Connector Type : J1772 TESLA
  • Highest Charging Option – Level 2
Marriott Charging Station

Marriott EV Charging Station in Dayton

 

Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum

The final resting place of the Wright brothers, Paul Laurence Dunbar, and a number of aviation leaders, Woodland Cemetery is a 10-15 minute walk from the University of Dayton Marriott EV charging station (see Carillon Historical Park). There are closer charging stations at the University of Dayton and Miami Valley Hospital, but proceed with caution. The University of Dayton stations require a visitor parking pass when school is in session. Weekends and summers are more relaxed. If you head to the University of Dayton, check in at the parking booth at the main entrance.

UD Parking Services Booth

 

The National Aviation Heritage Area boasts hundreds of EV charging stations in the 8-county region. To find more stations, check out these interactive maps for additional information: PlugShare and EVhype

Logo with airplane and boat

Today at 12pm the National Park Service announced the designation of Montgomery County (City of Dayton), Ohio as an American World War II Heritage City. Montgomery County (City of Dayton) is the only designation in the State of Ohio, and it joins only 17 other communities across the United States that received this designation today. The 18 newly designated communities join Wilmington, North Carolina that was designated in 2020.

“The National Park Service recognizes the role this region played in winning World War II. This rich heritage is part of our ongoing community identity and current leadership role in supporting our national defense and the future of aerospace,” said National Aviation Heritage Area board chair Susan Richardson.

The National Aviation Heritage Area led the nomination process and would like to thank the numerous community leaders and historians that supported this nomination. Those partners include:

-Montgomery County and Montgomery County Commissioners
-Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
-National Museum of the United States Air Force
-Dayton History at Carillon Historical Park
-Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
-Bridget Federspiel

The National Aviation Heritage Area advanced this nomination for Montgomery County as the largest political jurisdiction that could receive the designation under the National Park Service guidelines. “The City of Dayton was critical to the war effort as were the surrounding cities, communities, and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base,” said Mackensie Wittmer, Executive Director of the National Aviation Heritage Area.

Because only one political jurisdiction per state can be named an American World War II Heritage City, the nomination required local, state, and federal support. “NAHA would like to thank our elected officials and community leaders who supported this nomination,” said Wittmer.

The American World War II Heritage City program was created by the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act of 2019.

More information about the National Park Service program is available at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/worldwarii/americanheritagecity.htm

More information about the Montgomery County (City of Dayton) nomination including letters of support are available by contacting the National Aviation Heritage Area.

 

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The National Aviation Heritage Area is the recognized center of aviation heritage tourism and aerospace innovation, sustaining the legacy of the Wright Brothers. Our mission is to preserve and develop the assets in the National Aviation Heritage Area and promote the heritage and future of aerospace. www.visitNAHA.com

Contact: Mackensie Wittmer, Executive Director | [email protected] | 937.626.8816

colorful mosaic with airplanes

You’ll find two mosaics in the Wright Dunbar Neighborhood that contain multiple games. In partnership with Culture Works, the National Park Service, and National Aviation Heritage Area, the Mosaic Institute of Greater Dayton created and installed Flight Games – two aviation-themed mosaics.

1. Hopscotch at the Fifth Cycle Shop Lot -1129  W. Third St.

Play alone or with others. Hopscotch is a popular playground game in which players toss a small object, called a lagger, onto the game board. Instead of numbers, this hopscotch board has airplanes. Hop from plane to plane skipping the plane where the lagger landed. Mix it up and use the clouds as the basis for the hopscotch pattern. With numerous elements, create your own hopscotch game.

2. Seek & Find Mosaic – 16 S. Williams St. 

Located near the door of the National Park’s Visitor Center, this mosaic has numerous hidden objects. Use this page to see if you can find them all. In the mosaic, you will find:

Hidden (and not so hidden) objects:

  1. 9 Birds
  2. Wilbur Wright
  3. Orville Wright
  4. The Wright Bicycle Shop
  5. Van Cleve Bicycle
  6. Sprocket 1
  7. Sprocket 2
  8. Chain Link
  9. Van Cleve Bicycle Badge
  10. The Wright Flyer
  11. Piston
  12. Hawthorne Leaf
  13. ‘S’ for Scipio
  14. Cow 1
  15. Cow 2
  16. Moon
  17. Apollo 11
  18. Wright Brother’s National Monument
  19. Kitty Hawk Dunes
  20. Propeller 1
  21. Propeller 2
  22. Print Block
  23. National Park Service Arrowhead

 

Group awards $45,000

PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On February 15, the National Aviation Heritage Alliance board of trustees approved nine grants made to regional organizations this year. The Alliance is the management entity and non-profit organization that advances the National Aviation Heritage Area, an eight-county region in West Central Ohio.

“Each year, the Heritage Area has an opportunity to support preservation, education, and promotion projects advancing our region’s identity as the leader in aviation heritage and aviation heritage tourism,” said Executive Director Mackensie Wittmer. “It is a privilege to award these grants and work with the recipients to complete these projects and programs.” Since 2019, the Heritage Area has awarded $213,745 in grants.

The following grants were awarded for a granting period of October 1 to December 31.

• Air Camp: $5,000 for 2022 Air Camp fly days for middle school and high school summer programs
• Air Force Museum Foundation: $5,000 for support of their quarterly publication, The Friends Journal.
• Armstrong Air & Space Museum: $5,000 to wrap two vehicles in branded images.
• Champaign Aviation Museum (Urbana): $5,000 for a B-25 propellor maintenance and restoration
• Grimes Flying Lab Foundation (Urbana): $5,000 for aircraft restoration and preservation
• WACO Air Museum (Troy): $5,000 for a WACO RPT Engine exhibit
• Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum (Dayton): $5,000 for the Historic Chapel Renovation
• Wright B. Flyer (Miamisburg): $5,000 for exhibit readiness for their new airplane, the White Bird
• Wright Image Group: $5,000 for promotional materials and construction drawings.

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The National Aviation Heritage Area is the recognized center of aviation heritage tourism and aerospace innovation, sustaining the legacy of the Wright Brothers. Our mission is to preserve and develop the assets in the National Aviation Heritage Area and promote the heritage and future of aerospace. www.visitNAHA.com

Contact: Mackensie Wittmer, Executive Director | [email protected] | 937.443.0165