The Wright Brothers invented powered flight and taught the world to Fly! - Now Dayton invites aviation enthusiasts worldwide to come to Orville and Wilbur Wright's hometown and explore their fascinating legacy. From their bicycle shop to their first commercial aircraft that was sold internationally, their story is told in Dayton.

THE DAYTON AVIATION EXPERIENCE
A First Look Aviation Heritage tour experience provides a rare glimpse into the fascinating people, early technology and notable landmarks involved in the practical development of aviation at its birthplace in Dayton, Ohio.

From their small bicycle shop in Dayton, Ohio where the Wright brothers developed the earliest aviation technology for the world's first powered flight in 1903, to Huffman Prairie, the field where the brothers conducted early research, perfected their flying techniques, and operated the Wright Company School of Aviation, the early pioneering story of the airplane begins in Dayton, Ohio.

Today, Dayton is home to the world famous National Museum of the United States Air Force, where exhibits from the world's earliest attempts at manned flight to the latest advancements in air and space flight are exhibited. The museum features over 400 aerospace vehicles and is recognized worldwide as a leading historical resource on aviation heritage.

Tour Highlights

Tours lead you to the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center, a national historic park, which includes the Wrights' original bicycle shop, a replica Wright printing shop, and the home of internationally recognized African-American poet, Paul Lawrence Dunbar. A parachute museum is also at this site. Your tour then continues to one or more other aviation heritage sites such as:

Huffman Prairie Flying Field Location: Site of Wright Brothers early glider and motorized flights

Wright B Flyer: Visit a replica of a 1909 Wright B flyer

National Museum of the United States Air Force: Exhibits range from 19th century ballooning, American Presidential aircraft to missiles and Stealth aircraft.

Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum: Technology and displays of man's first landing on the moon.

Grimes Flying Lab: Exhibits of aircraft and airfield lighting technology

Carillon Historical Park: A 65-acre outdoor museum with 23 exhibit buildings reflecting Dayton's history. Tour May include Hawthorn Hill, the Wright Family estate home built in 1912.

Paul Laurence Dunbar Home and Memorial: Explore his early 20th century literary career

Wright Brothers Memorial: Overlooks Huffman Prairie the site includes a small museum

WACO Field: In the 1920's and 1930's WACO was the world's largest manufacturer of civilian airplanes; site of many fly-in reunions of vintage aircraft.

Engineers' Club of Dayton: Display of various inventions, equipment, and patents developed in Dayton including the works of the Wright Brothers in the aircraft industry and Charles Kettering, founder of DELCO and inventor of the electric start for automobiles, among others.

First Look Tours is recommended by the National Aviation Heritage Alliance -

First Look Tours will include a choice from the list of 10 aviation heritage sites. Pre-arranged private tours of the Wright Brothers historic estate home, Hawthorn Hill, are available on a limited basis as are individual flights on a replica of the Wright B Flyer. Either is an additional cost.

Contact us to arrange an exclusive tour of
Dayton's Aviation Heritage.