Students make history with first aircraft built at Wright Brothers site since 1903

History was made in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, as students and graduates from First Flight High School’s Aviation Program unveiled an aircraft they built on the grounds of the Wright Brothers National Memorial. It is the first airplane constructed at the historic site since Wilbur and Orville Wright achieved the world’s first powered flight in 1903.

The aircraft is the result of two years of work by students and recent graduates, who spent hundreds of hours assembling thousands of parts inside a building located on the memorial grounds. Their project was revealed during a ceremony marking the 122nd anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ historic flight.

Descendants of Wilbur and Orville Wright were among the more than 100 people who attended the event. Paul Wright Jameson, a great-great nephew of the Wright Brothers, said it was meaningful to see a new generation honoring the legacy of innovation that began on the same land more than a century ago.

Students involved in the project described the experience as both humbling and inspiring. Senior Alexander Sharp said building the aircraft where aviation history began made the accomplishment especially powerful, while graduate Gavin Dibler called it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to follow in the footsteps of aviation pioneers.

The program is led by aviation instructor Joey “JT” Tynch, a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, who worked closely with students throughout the build. He said the project gave students a permanent place in aviation history and showcased their dedication, teamwork, and technical skill.

The aircraft is not intended to remain on display permanently. Program leaders say the goal is to have the plane flying in the new year, further cementing the students’ achievement.

The ceremony also included the induction of aviation legend William P. Lear into the First Flight Society, recognizing his contributions to aviation technology and the founding of the Learjet Company.

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