12 Seconds that Changed the World

1903 Hangar

• View of the 1903 camp of the Wright Brothers featuring the 1903 Flyer, the hangar and their living quarters building.

1903 Workshop/Living Quarters

• Wilbur and Orville constructed their workshop at this location in 1901. They consistently made improvements to it each season they returned. Currently located here are reconstructions of their living space and hangar as it was set up from 1903.

Airport Kiosk/Pilot Booth

Airstrip Picnic Area

• Five picnic tables can be found underneath live oak trees with views of Big Kill Devil Hill and the Wright Brothers Monument. Parking is located in front of the KFFA Pilots' Facility or across the loop road. Please use caution when crossing the road. Restroom facilities can be found within the KFFA Pilots' Facility. There are two more picnic tables located at the northwest corner of the pilot's facility.

Among Friends

Big Kill Devil Hill

• When the Wright brothers were here, Big Kill Devil Hill-the hill in front of you-was a massive sand dune. Thousands of times, the brothers trekked up this and three nearby dunes to conduct glider experiments. Climbing the hill was strenuous. Deep, soft sand caused every step up the slope to slip part-way back down. The Wrights were also burdened with carrying their heavy gliders up the hill for each flight.

Big Kill Devil Hill North Exhibit

Big Kill Devil Hill South Exhibit

Big Kill Devil Hill West Exhibit

Commemoration

• On December 17, 1928, only 25 years after the Wrights achieved flight, thousands gathered at this remote place to celebrate the global importance of the birth of flight.

Commemorative Sculpture

• Located to the south of Big Kill Devil Hill, the December 17, 1903 sculpture represents the Wright brothers' first flight. Dedicated in 2003 as a gift from the State of North Carolina , the bronze and steel sculpture reenacts the historic first flight. Orville pilots the machine, Wilbur runs alongside, and the witnesses who assisted with the flights that day look on and cheer.

Entrance Station

• Located west of US-158 in Kill Devils Hills, North Carolina between mileposts 7 and 8, the entrance to Wright Brothers National Memorial leads to the entrance station.<br /><br />Visitors are required to pay an entrance fee to enter the park, or show a current <strong>America the Beautiful Pass</strong> . Additional information about the <strong>America the Beautiful Passes</strong> can be <a href="https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm">found on this website</a> .

First Flight Airstrip

• First Flight Airstrip-dedicated in 1963 and owned by the National Park Service-is an unattended, general aviation airstrip with one 3,000-foot asphalt runway.

First Flight Boulder

• From this spot on December 17, 1903, the 1903 Wright Flyer lifted off from its launching rail at 10:35 am and, in 12 seconds, flew 120 feet at an altitude of 8 feet. With Orville at the controls and Wilbur running alongside, the brothers had achieved the seemingly impossible.The boulder and accompanying plaque were dedicated on December 17, 1928 by the National Aeronautic Association, marking the 25th anniversary of the brothers' first flight. Orville Wright and Amelia Earhar

First Flight Landing

• On December 17, 1903, at approximately 10:35 am, Orville Wright piloted the 1903 Wright Flyer to this location after a brief, 12-second flight. Though the flight was a mere 120 feet (shorter than the length of a modern passenger airliner) in distance at an altitude of 8 feet, the brothers had achieved what was thought impossible. It was the first time in history a controllable, heavier-than-air flying machine took off from a level surface on its own power and landed at the sa

First Flights: December 17, 1903

Four Powered Flights

• Four Powered Flights Wayside AD

Fourth Flight Landing

• The fourth and final flight on December 17, 1903 was the longest. Wilbur piloted the 1903 Wright Flyer 852 feet in 59 seconds. At the conclusion of this flight, the brothers knew they had succeeded, and planned on flying up to the postmaster's station in Kitty Hawk after lunch to send a telegram.

Getting Off the Ground

• Outdoor exhibit. After four years of scientific research and rigorous experimentation, and with their 1903 Flyer on the rail, the Wrights are set to fly.

Home Away from Home

If you decide to try your machine here…you will find a hospitable people…

• An outdoor exhibit about Wilbur and Orville Wright. They accepted Tate’s invitation and found that the Outer Banks of North Carolina not only provided hospitable people but also the conditions that they needed to fly – wind, sand, and solitude.

In commemoration of the conquest of the air…

Jockey's Ridge State Park

KFFA Pilots' Facility

• The accessible, pilot's facility includes a lounge with seating and computers to check weather conditions, as well as restrooms.

Loop Road

• The Loop Road at Wright Brothers National Memorial encircles Big Kill Devil Hill and provides amazing views of the memorial landscape, as well as access to the monument at the top of the hill, the commemorative sculpture, picnic areas, and the First Flight Airstrip.

Original Park Entrance

• Constructed in 1933, the original entrance was demolished in 1979. The original gateposts remain, though no access is provided to the posts.

Second Flight Landing

• Wilbur piloted the second flight on December 17, 1903, which lasted 12 seconds and covered 175 feet at an altitude of approximately 10 feet.

Third Flight Landing

• Orville piloted the third flight on December 17, 1903, which surpassed the first two flights by lasting 15 seconds and covering 200 feet.

Wind, Sand, & Isolation

Wright Brothers Bas Relief Plaque

• Bronze relief that features the portraits of Wilbur and Orville Wright. Across the top are reliefs of 3 types of Wright brothers’ gliders.

Wright Brothers Monument

• The Wright Brothers Monument is a 60-foot-tall, Art Deco style, granite monument that sits atop Big Kill Devil Hill-the primary location of the brothers' glider experiments.With a $213,000 budget, construction began on the monument in 1928 with the laying of the cornerstone during the 25th anniversary of the first flight. After Big Kill Devil Hill-which shifted continuously due to wind and weather-was stabilized by the Quartermaster's Corps in 1929, the construction began in

Wright Brothers Park Store

• The park store is operated by Eastern National, an official non-profit partner of the. National Park Service dedicated to supporting the educational mission of Wright Brothers National Memorial. The park store has a wide range of books, media, educational games, and other items available for retail sale. These products complement the interpretive themes you experience when visiting the park.

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