Wright Flight OF NORTH CAROLINA News and MULTIMEDIA

John Harris of Kitty Hawk kites presents donation in the amount of $3,601.64 to Wright Flight secretary, Judith Fearing, and Wright Flight Vice President, Stella Murry.

Wright Flight secretary, Judith Fearing, accepts a $1,000 donation for the program from Charlotte Midgett, the president of the First Flight Elementary School PTO.

A pair of Navy F-18 Hornets approach the Wright Brothers Memorial as part of the celebration of the Wright Brothers first flight.

Despite the grey overcast sky, the Navy's F-18 Hornets maintained a tight formation.

A Coast Guard C-130 from the base at Elizabeth City was also part of the day's celebration.

In celebration of the 108th anniversary of the Wright Brothers first flight, students from Nags Head Elementary School and First Flight Elementary School were in attendance along with many other interested residents.

The United States Coast Guard provided an honor guard for the presentation of colors at the celebration.

Vice Admiral William E. Gourtney, U.S. Navy, was the distinguished guest for the 2011 celebration. Here Avmiral Gourtney presents and award to one of the veterans in attendance.

Vice Admiral Gourtney autographs a program for one of our students.

Nags Head Elementary School fifth grader Carmen Chinchilla—flanked by her fifth grade teacher Carmella Williams and NHES Principal Dr. Adrienne Palma—was the school's Wright Flight bike drawing winner at the fifth grade graduation assembly in June.

One of our recent graduates takes his position in the right seat of Barrier Island Aviation's Cessna prior to his flight.

Following his flight, our recent graduate gets his photograph taken with pilot and flight instructor, Kevin Griffinger.

Barrier Island Aviation pilot Andy Rossman taxis his WACO UPF-7 following a flight in which he provided visitors at the Youth Aviation Day with a thrilling biplane ride.

Cape Hatteras Elementary School fifth grader Rebecca Hodges is the proud owner of a new bicycle was the winner in her school's Wright Flight bike drawing.  All Wright Flight graduates at each participating Dare County school are entered into a random drawing at the end of the school year.  The winners are announced at end-of-year assemblies.  Rebecca was a student in teacher Laurie Parker's class this year.  Her classmate, Caroline Peele, won a kite and a hang gliding lesson from Wright Flight supporter John Harris of Kitty Hawk Kites.

First Flight Elementary School fifth grader Skye Bland was the winner in his school's Wright Flight bicycle drawing.  Wright Flight graduates at each participating school are entered into a random drawing at the end of the school year.  The bicycle was donated by Wright Flight of North Carolina.  Skye was a student in teacher Lisa Beaver's class this year.

Manteo Elementary School fifth grader Donovan Twyne was the winner in his school's Wright Flight bicycle drawing.  Wright Flight graduates at each participating school are entered into a random drawing at the end of the school year with the winner of the drawing receiving a bicycle donated by Wright Flight of North Carolina.

One of the featured events of the 2011 Youth Aviation Day was the airplane rides made available to visitors by Barrier Island Aviation for a cost of only $10 per person.

These two Wright Flight graduates had a great time experiencing the various flight related events at Dare County's Eight Annual Youth Aviation Day.

Pete Grow of OBX Biplanes prepares to take a pair of visitors at the 2011 Youth Aviation Day on the ride of a lifetime in his WACO YMF.

A Wright Flight graduate takes a ride on Kitty Hawk Kites' hang glider simulator at the 2011 Youth Aviation Day.

Judith Fearing, secretary for Wright Flight of North Carolina, briefs members of the Marine Corps League Outer Banks Detachment about the program to solicit their member's support.

On March 20, 2011 some of our graduates participated in the Kelly's 22nd annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade in Nags Head to have some fun and show their support of Wright Flight to our local community.

On April 16, 2011 about 50 Wright Flight students, along with their teachers and parents, attended a birthday party in honor of Wilbur Wright at the First Flight Airport. The event was graciously hosted for the students by the First Flight Society.

A parent proudly displays support by a bumber sticker proclaiming their child is an honored graduate of the Wright Flight program.

Four of our graduates were invited to lead the Pledge of Allegiance at the Wright Brothers' Memorial on Dec. 17, 2010.  They also got to meet and get autographs of Betty Skelton Erde and Patty Wagstaff. Both of these women are world-renowned aviators and were being honored with a "Monument to a Century of Flight" medallion for their noteworthy accomplishments in aviation.

Our students also got to meet Mike Murray, the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Group Superintendent, during the ceremony held on December 17, 2010 at the Wright Brothers' Memorial.

Nags Head Elementary School PTO President Erika Griffin presents a check for $1,000 to support the Wright Flight program in Dare County Schools to Judith Fearing, Secretary for Wright Flight of North Carolina.

A group of Wright Flight graduates from Nags Head Elementary School proudly display their graduation certificates to the audience.

Five of our Wright Flight graduates show off their t-shirts at the Watermelon Festival.

A few of our students found enough time to clown-around a bit in Kitty Hawk Kites' super-size beach chair.

Wright Flight of North Carolina president, Cleo Mason, "supervises" the days events from his throne.

At the Watermelon Festival, our students assisted in many of the activities that were available to visitors.

These two Wright Flight graduates assisted in the vending area of the festival.

A Wright Flight graduate demonstrates his artistic talents at the face painting station during the 2010 Watermelon Festival.

President of Wright Flight of North Carolina, Cleo Mason, honors Kitty Hawk Kites owner John Harris with a plaque to commemorate his support of the program in Dare County.

Nags Head Elementary School fifth grader, Alana Bissell is the proud winner of a new bike. Alana's name went into a random drawing for fifth grade students at NHES who successfully completed the Wright Flight program this year. Pictured with Alana are NHES School Principal, Dr. Adrienne Palma, and NHES Wright Flight Coordinator and fifth grade teacher, Nancy Nance.

Blayde Keller, a student in Lisa Beaver's class at First Flight Middle School, is the proud winner of a new mountain bike. Blayde's name went into a random drawing for fifth grade students at FFES who successfully completed the Wright Flight program this year. Pictured with Blayde is FFES principal, Margie Parker.

Cape Hatteras Elementary School's bicycle raffle winner, Libby Tawes, stands with Laurie Parker and Principal Ray Gray. A CHES fifth grader, Libby, is the proud winner of a new bike. Her name went into a random drawing for fifth grade students at CHES who successfully completed the Wright Flight program this year.

Wright Flight coordinator and fifth grade teacher, Nancy Nance, speaks to students at Nags Head Elementary during their Wright Flight Ceremony.

One of our graduates reads her essay, "What Wright Flight means to me" to those assembled at the 2010 Wright Flight graduation ceremony.

Four of our students display their support of the Wright Flight program following the ceremony in which many were awarded their graduation certificates.

On "fly-day" a group along with their pilot heads onto the flight line to board their aircraft for their flight.

One of our graduates takes his turn in the copilot's seat on "fly-day."  Because of the noise from the engine, headsets and microphones are essential for communication.

Even the passengers in the rear seats of the aircraft are having a great time experiencing a Wright Flight "fly-day."

The pilot turns over the controls of the aircraft to one of our graduates.  I wonder how many eleven-year olds get this type of "hands on" experience?

A Wright Flight graduate's father indicates his approval with a classic aviator's "thumbs up."

Wright Flight students made drivers on the bypass aware of their car wash fundraising efforts with colorful signs and smiles.

Wright Flight car washers and supporters with Wright Flight president, Cleo Mason, at a recent car wash that was held in the parking lot of East Carolina Bank in Nags Head.

More Wright Flight graduates who participated in our fundraising car wash held at East Carolina Bank.

A Wright Flight graduate proudly displays her graduation certificate.

"Fly-day" has arrived and with the determination of Amelia Earhart this young lady is just a few minutes away from take-off.

Two of our students show their reports and scratch-built models that they constructed as part of Wright Flight's aviation history requirement.

A scratch-built model of a Fokker DR-1 tri-plane that was constructed by one of our students.  This is the type of machine flown by Germany's famous "Red Baron."

A group of our students and teacher, Judith Fearing, volunteered their time for a fun day of fund-raising events at the local Watermelon Festival.

One of our graduates takes a gleeful plunge for Wright Flight in the dunking tank during the annual Watermelon Festival.

Another Wright Flight student dutifully takes her place on the seat of the dunking tank.

Kitty Hawk Kites owner, John Harris, receives a token of appreciation from Wright Flight of North Carolina's president, Cleo Mason.

While awaiting his flight, one of our graduates checked out Barrier Island Aviation's 1942 Waco UPF-7 biplane.

As the pilot conducts his pre-flight check a proud father snaps a photo of his son sitting in the co-pilot's seat.

With the aircraft under the controls of pilot, Kevin Griffinger, we taxi to the runway and prepare for takeoff.

The Wright Brothers' Monument in Kill Devil Hills with the adjoining area that was used by the Wright Brothers for their historic 1903 flight.

From an altitude of 1,000-feet, one of our graduates flew the aircraft over the Dare Shopping Centre in Kill Devil Hills.

Descending to 500-feet over the ocean, a graduate flew south to view what our beach looks like from the air.

Further south the area in the vicinity of the Nags Head municipal building can be seen.

Climbing back to an altitude of 1,000-feet at Nags Head Pier before turning west to head back to the airport.

Banking to the right to set a course to take the aircraft back to the airport for a safe landing.  Roanoke Island can be seen in the background.

Coming in for a landing at Dare County Regional Airport with flight instructor Kevin Griffinger at the controls while our graduate studies his technique.

Barrier Island Aviation pilot Jenny Hawk greets Kevin Griffinger and one of our graduates upon their return.