Simulator Of 1903 Model Sparks Homebuilders To Share Skills

By Grace Huseth

The National Aviation Heritage Area in Dayton, Ohio and Wright “B” Flyers plan to build a new flyer of America’s first production airplane. With the help of EAA homebuilders, the second Wright “B” Flyer can serve as an educational tool and air show demonstrator. 

“The current Wright “B” Flyer is getting more and more difficult to maintain and transport. This project will give EAA chapter and homebuilders a chance to have a part in history,” said Stephen Wright, great grandnephew of the Wright brothers.

Wright said the Wright “B” flyer at this year’s EAA AirVenture was built in 1982. It has traveled around to various air shows, but takes four to five hours to breakdown and place into shipping crates. Most of the volunteers who tour with the flyer are retired veterans with an average age of 80. The group would greatly benefit from a new model with a more streamlined design for transportation purposes.

The NAHA is in the beginning stages of encouraging EAA chapters to volunteer time and skills to build a section of the aircraft.  Timothy Gaffney, Director of Communications of NAHA said they will begin delegating interested chapters to the various sections, coordinating the shipment of  parts or inviting the chapters to the original factory to construct history inside history. 

To raise awareness and intrigue, a flight simulator of the 1903 Wright “B” Flyer is at the NAHA booth during EAA AirVenture. Aviation history buffs enjoy lying like Wilbur and Orville and trying their hand piloting the first aircraft.

Nicholas Georgeff Jr., volunteer from NAHA Dayton, said Wright “B” Flyer  simulator has been tested and set as close to a realistic flight as possible. He also counts each and every attendee to try it out, which averages out to about 175 people daily. 

Fourteen year old air show attendee Tyler Bontrager from Kansas said, “It’s really difficult. The controls aren’t sensitive and it’s hard to turn.”

Just as the simulator requires using the entire weight of your body to navigate, the Wright “B” Flyer will need help from every member of the EAA family. Start a dialogue with the NAHA New Wright “B” Flyer Project to discuss specific ways you can get involved.

(Staff images)

FMI: www.wright-b-flyer.org