COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio has officially designated the Wright Flyer III, crafted by aviation pioneers Orville and Wilbur Wright, as the state’s official airplane. This notable designation pays homage to the craft’s historical significance as the world’s first practical fixed-wing aircraft that took its crucial flight in Huffman Prairie, a pasture near Dayton, Ohio.
Amanda Wright Lane, a direct descendant of the innovative Ohioan brothers, addressed a legislative hearing earlier this year. She emphasized the historical significance of the 1905 aircraft, likening it to today’s technological marvels, stating it was akin to “their Tesla.” Wright Lane highlighted the broad impact of the Wrights’ breakthrough, drawing parallels between their achievements and NASA’s current endeavors on Mars. She pointed out that Ingenuity, the experimental Martian helicopter, echoes the early 20th-century breakthroughs of the Wright Flyer III. In tribute, NASA has named its Martian airstrip “Wright Brothers Field.”
“Ohio’s engineering prowess played a significant role in the Ingenuity mission,” Wright Lane asserted. “Is there a better choice than the Wright Flyer III to symbolize the origins of human flight for Ohio? Ohioans not only interconnected the world 125 years ago but now are bridging the gaps in space exploration.”
The Wright Flyer III introduced a range of advancements over its predecessor, the Wright Flyer I. This included a larger rudder, a rear-positioned vertical stabilizer, and distinct controls for yaw and roll, according to Kevin Boehner from the Ohio History Connection, who described these features to the legislative committee.
Selecting the Wright Flyer III as Ohio’s emblematic aircraft subtly bypasses the longstanding debate with North Carolina, which also lays claim to being the “birthplace of aviation.” While Ohio was the site of the Wrights’ inventive activities, North Carolina was where the initial flight occurred.
Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, formalized this new state designation into law this past Wednesday. The plane, which holds the status of a historic landmark, is on display at Carillon Historical Park in Dayton.