Duluth Aviation Institute Donated The 2013 Replica To The EAA Aviation Foundation on December 3, 2020

The replica of the 1913 Lark of Duluth Benoist Type XIV flying boat will debut at the 2021 Oshkosh Airventure. The replica will be exhibited with the 1903 Wright Flyer replica and Curtiss A-1 Pusher Sweetheart in the Pioneers of Flight area of the EAA Aviation Museum.

The Duluth Aviation Institute donated the 2013 replica to the EAA Aviation Foundation on December 3, 2020 to preserve and exhibit this significant aircraft for the public and in perpetuity.

The Duluth Aviation Institute's Lark of Duluth, was five and a half years in the making, under the leadership of Duluth's aviation craftsman, Mark Marino, with volunteer labor contributions from Institute trustees and local EAA members Tom Betts, Michael Gardonio, Michael Shannon, Jim Nelson, John Vanderhorn, Bob Parenteau, and Sandra Ettestad.

The original Lark of Duluth, was owned by two visionary Duluthians, Julius Barnes and W. D. Jones who foresaw the advantages aviation could offer in service to society and toward economic development. The first "Lark" made the historic first commercial flight with one paying passenger across Tampa Bay on January 1, 1914.

The Lark of Duluth flying boat was featured during the summers of 1913 and 1914 at Lark O' the Lake Carnival held by the Duluth Boat Club. For the centennial celebration, the Duluth Aviation Institute featured the replica at the Lark O' the Lake Festival in July 2013 and EAA's AirVenture, Oshkosh, WI in July 2014.

"We are exceptionally pleased to have this world renown museum exhibit The Lark of Duluth and, as Duluthians, we are proud to be a community of aviation innovators and entrepreneurs since 1913," said Sandra Ettestad, President and Founder, Duluth Aviation Institute.

FMI: www.duluthaviationinstitute.org