The Rich Aviation History of the Outer Banks
Where Human Flight Began
The Outer Banks of North Carolina holds a special place in aviation history. It was here, on the windswept dunes near Kitty Hawk, that humanity first achieved powered flight. Today, when you take an air tour with OBX Airplanes, you're flying over the very birthplace of aviation.
A Remote Paradise
Before the first airplane ever lifted off, the Outer Banks was one of the most isolated places on the East Coast. This chain of barrier islands could only be accessed by boat or ferry. The area was steeped in mystery and folklore – home to fishermen, lighthouse keepers, and the legendary Bankers who made their living from the sea.
It wasn't until 1930 that a wooden bridge was built connecting the mainland to the Outer Banks. Today, on our air tours, you can see all four bridges connecting mainland Dare County to the islands – a testament to how far we've come from those isolated days.
Why Kitty Hawk?
In 1900, Wilbur and Orville Wright were searching for the perfect location to test their flying experiments. They needed:
- Consistent strong winds – The Outer Banks averages 13-18 mph winds
- Soft landing surfaces – The sandy dunes provided forgiving crash sites
- Privacy – The remote location meant few spectators
- Open space – Miles of beach and dunes with no obstacles
After corresponding with the U.S. Weather Bureau, the brothers chose Kitty Hawk. They would spend the next three years testing gliders and refining their designs on these shores.
December 17, 1903
On a cold December morning, with winds gusting to 27 mph, Orville Wright climbed aboard the Wright Flyer. At 10:35 AM, the machine lifted off the launch rail and flew 120 feet in 12 seconds.
That day, the brothers made four flights, with Wilbur's final flight covering 852 feet in 59 seconds. Human flight was no longer a dream – it was reality.
First Flight Airport
Today, First Flight Airport sits adjacent to the Wright Brothers National Memorial. This is where OBX Airplanes calls home, and there's no more fitting place to begin your aerial adventure.
The airport is affectionately nicknamed "First Fright" by local pilots due to its relatively short runway and the famous Outer Banks winds. But for us, every takeoff from this historic ground is a reminder of the courage and innovation that made flight possible.
What You'll See
When you fly with OBX Airplanes, you'll soar over landmarks that tell the story of aviation and Outer Banks history:
- Wright Brothers National Memorial – The granite monument marking where it all began
- Kill Devil Hills – The famous dunes where the Wrights tested their gliders
- Historic shipwrecks – The "Graveyard of the Atlantic" visible from above
- Bodie Island Lighthouse – One of the iconic OBX lighthouses
- Oregon Inlet – Where the Atlantic meets the Pamlico Sound
- Jockey's Ridge – The tallest sand dune on the East Coast
Continuing the Legacy
At OBX Airplanes, we're proud to be part of this incredible aviation heritage. Our founder, Jenny Hawk, started flying in 2008, drawn by the same spirit of adventure that brought the Wright Brothers to these shores over a century ago.
Every flight we offer is a chance to connect with history while creating new memories. Whether you choose a quick 5-minute introductory flight or a full hour-long custom tour, you're participating in a tradition that began on these very beaches.
Experience aviation history firsthand. Book your air tour today and see the Outer Banks the way the Wright Brothers dreamed – from above.
The OBX Airplanes team flies out of First Flight Airport, Manteo, NC – just minutes from where it all began.