Raising Money Through Crowdfunding And More Traditional Methods

Back in January, 2016, Wright "B" Flyer Inc. launched a GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign to help fund the construction of a second Wright "B" Flyer lookalike airplane, a project which is still not completed.

The GoFundMe page is still open, however. In the description of the project, the team says that their current, flying Wright "B" Flyer lookalike is more than 30 years old, and is becoming difficult to maintain. "We plan to complete construction of our new aircraft in the original Wright Airplane Company hangar where the Wright Brothers originally produced their Model B aircraft! We have a benefactor who has pledged a matching donation of $50,000 if we meet our goal.

"Our mission is to promote, through exhibition of Wright “B” Flyer look-alike aircraft, public awareness of the Dayton, Ohio region, where the Wright Brothers lived, invented the airplane, and gave birth to modern aviation. Your donation will provide design and procurement of parts and assemblies of the new airplane, and support our mission and enable us to promote the birth of aviation to a worldwide audience."

According to the group's spring quarterly newsletter, the airplane was well along earlier this year, with a goal of flying before the end of the year. But the group said its biggest challenge is "having enough volunteer man hours to maintain our tight schedule. The new-technology fabric that will cover the flight surfaces is our biggest task, requiring skills that we learn as we go." That is the most recent update available.

The GoFundMe page appears to still be accepting donations, if you're so inclined.

(Image from Facebook)

FMI: GoFundMe, www.wright-b-flyer.org