Located at Dayton Wright Brothers Airport in Miamisburg, Ohio, an organization named Wright “B” Flyer, Incorporated maintains a museum dedicated to the legacy of the Wright brothers. As part of this effort, they built and maintained an aircraft back in the 1970s which mimics the appearance of the famous Wright Model B biplane of 1910. They have campaigned this aircraft at various events around the state, the nation – and indeed the globe – to provide the public with a clear idea of aviation’s early beginnings and the importance of the Wright brothers, and their home state of Ohio, to the technological marvels of flight which too many of us now take for granted.
However, after many years of operation, their first replica Wright Model B flyer (nicknamed Brown Bird) was reaching the end of its economic operability. Therefore, for the past five years, museum volunteers and other contributors have been hard at work building an airworthy replacement for their Brown Bird. And on October 2nd, 2021, they successfully completed the first test flight of this new aircraft, dubbed White Bird, at their home in Miamisburg, Ohio. Brigadier General Jay Jabour, USAF (Ret) performed this initial flight, and the museum will continue making further tests during the fall to satisfy the requisite Federal Aviation Administration conditions for its airworthiness certificate.
Commenting on this important development, Wright B Flyer, Inc.’s board president, Don Adams noted: “We are thrilled with a successful first flight of our White Bird. I would like to thank the dedicated volunteers for their countless hours designing, fabricating, and building this new airplane. The White Bird will allow us to continue to provide education and entertainment locally, nationally, and internationally sharing the story of the Wright brothers and the invention of manned, powered flight.”
Adding to this, Mackensie Wittmer, executive director of the National Aviation Heritage Area, said: “This aircraft represents a new opportunity for the Dayton region, and I commend Wright B. Flyer for starting the testing of this lookalike plane. There is nowhere else in the world that an average person can fly on a Wright lookalike. This plane is also designed for easy disassembly and shipping. Wright B. Flyer will be able to share the Wright Brothers story around the world with this new aircraft.”
Wright “B” Flyer Inc. is an all-volunteer, membership-based, not-for-profit corporation located on the Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport near Dayton, Ohio. The group flies one Model B look-alike during the summer months and the hangar doubles as a museum. For more information visit www.wright-b-flyer.org/
Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
Are you certified to give rides yet?
Hi Dennis – You need to contact the organization directly. You’ll find their website at the bottom of the article.