A Pilot's Pilgrimage to Mecca

A steady wind whips across the sand and whistles through the low knarred shrubs.  The whipping wind carries the faint sounds of crashing waves and holds a heavy scent of sea salt as the ocean pounds against the beaches. The sea soaked air cuts through fabric, making a cold day seem even colder.  The dunes bellow and yell as the wind, coursing over their summits, creates a growling beast. The sudden barks and coughs of a homemade engine interrupt the winds. A small group of lifeguards, one with a camera, witness two brothers catapult a mess of fabric, wires and engine into the air; a man squished in the middle. For twelve seconds the small craft awkwardly bounces up and down before settling into the sand 120 feet from where it previously left.   

 All pilots know the history of Orville and Wilbur Wright. Their fateful flight on December 17, 1903 is what makes our passions possible over a hundred years later. The National Park Service has turned the once quiet Kill Devil Dunes into the Wright Brothers National Memorial, preserved for us all to enjoy the location where powered flight became possible.

Entrance to the Memorial.

The Wright Brothers Memorial is a must for all pilots and aviation enthusiasts to experience. The Wright Brothers Visitor Center is a small museum erected on the grounds to learn all about the brother’s trials and experiences as they worked, building gliders and learning the basics of aerodynamics. The Centennial Pavilion was built in 2003 and offers shows and documentaries about the Wrights. The pavilion can also be reserved for special events. There are hangars built to model the old sheds the two used to live in and construct their small flying crafts. Where the actual flight took place, granite markers have been labeled with placards showing the distance and time each of their first flights lasted.

Here, most of the park can be seen, with the memorial in the
background, the First Flight area are in the foreground and
Pavilion and Hangars on the left.

The memorial, erected on top of Kill Devil Hill is a 60 foot granite pillar that can be seen from afar. Standing on top of the hill, with the wind whipping at your face, it is easy to see why the Wrights chose this location for practicing with their gliders.

In addition to the Memorial, First Flight Airport sits next door to the park, so in true pilgrimage form, we can fly to Kill Devil Hills! First Flight Airport, KFFA identifier, sits just to the west of the park and is only a couple hundred yards walk from the ramp to the base of the memorial. Dimensions are 3000 X 60 ft. There are tie downs available on the ramp, though no fuel services are available. Taxis can be called from inside the small pilot’s lounge and will be there in a few minutes. 

Thanks to Max Dares for bringing his Emeraude down.
My wife and I before a quick flight. Note how bundled
up we are. The weather can get quite chilly in the fall.

While you wait, you can check the weather and notams on a complimentary computer as well as use the restroom. The facility is small but very accommodating for pilots flying in to see the park. The runway is surrounded by trees and a power line sits off the departure end of runway 02. Combined with the frequent winds, landings at First Flight Airport can get to be a bit tricky. There is a limit to only a one night stay on First Flight Airport.

If you require more accommodations than First Flight Airport offers, Dare County Airport, KMQI identifier, is only six miles away by air. Dare County offers longer runways, 100LL, Jet-A1, no ramp fees and rental cars can be parked and waiting for you when you arrive. Several approaches are available as well in case the East Coast weather decides to get nasty. 

There are many attractions out in town including hang gliding lessons, fishing expeditions, gorgeous beaches and many fine local restaurants to choose from.  We chose to visit Outer Banks Brewing Station to dine at one evening. The brewpub boasts to be the first wind powered brewery in the U.S.  The dinner menu offers a large selection of seafood entrées. For folks who do not have the stomach for seafood, there are many choices of non- fish dinners as well. The handcrafted beer list is the reason to visit. A beer selection for all palates is offered. Live entertainment from their stage while sipping on a Mad Raven Double Black IPA, makes this place a great place to unwind after a long day touring the memorial.

View from our hotel room. 

The tourist season for Kitty Hawk is during the summer months.  The area can become quite busy during the summer tourist season. Visiting during the off season makes finding lodging easier and a little softer on the checkbook. However, if you want to lie on the beach and get a sun tan while not visiting the memorial, a warmer time frame would be recommended.  We visited in the fall and discovered it can get quite cold when the wind blows off the Atlantic.  We stayed at the Comfort Inn Oceanfront North, a low priced hotel which sits right on the water. The hotel offers a small bar, pool, workout facilities and many rooms have oceanfront balconies.  For traveling on a budget, this place was exceptional. There are many other accommodations to choose from as well and if you are a Bed and Breakfast enthusiast, the Outer Banks is a must visit.

The day the Wright Brothers made their historical flight, they transformed the quiet windy dunes of Kitty Hawk into a Mecca for lovers of aviation. The National Park Service has done a great job preserving the grounds, allowing enthusiasts for generations to come, the ability to experience the dunes.  Links have been provided below for more information on the memorial and Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.  

For more information about Wright Brothers National Memorial http://www.nps.gov/wrbr/index.htm

For more information about First Flight Airport http://firstflightairport.com/ and  http://www.airnav.com/airport/KFFA. 

For Dare County Regional http://www.darenc.com/Airport/.

Visit Outer Banks Brewing Station's website  http://www.obbrewing.com/

Check out Tailwheels and Flying Wires on Facebook! www.facebook.com/tailwheelsandflyingwires

The annoying legal stuff: This is for entertainment and informational purposes only. Please ensure any flights are planned properly using accurate and current information.