The 1903 Wright Flyer, Unveiled

Yes, it seems a little late in the game to unveil an airplane that first flew 100 years ago — but this is a brand-new painstaking reproduction of the Wrights’ famous flyer, ready to meet the public. With spring kicking into gear, Sun ‘n Fun just around the corner, and the aviation show season about to rev up, EAA’s Countdown to Kitty Hawk is gearing up. Next Tuesday morning, at Reagan Washington National Airport, the very aircraft that will fly at Kill Devil Hills on Dec. 17, 2003, to re-enact the Wright brothers’ first flight, will be revealed. The Flyer will travel the country this year and will fly over Kitty Hawk, N.C., on the 100-year anniversary, at the exact date, time and place where the Wright brothers made their first flight. Special guests at Tuesday’s special event will include Amanda Wright Lane, great-grandniece of Orville and Wilbur Wright; Ken Hyde of The Wright Experience, builder of EAA’s 1903 Wright Flyer reproduction; plus sundry functionaries, officials, and public servants.