AIAA Marks 111th Anniversary of Wright Brothers' First Flight Written 17 December 2014

December 17, 2014 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) marks today’s 111th anniversary of the Wright brothers’ first powered flight on December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

“One hundred and eleven years ago today, Orville and Wilbur Wright took a huge risk and proved to the world that heavier-than-air, powered flight was possible,” said Sandra Magnus, AIAA executive director. “Today, innovators still show that anything is possible if you work hard, believe in your goals, and persevere. Our thriving aviation market, our dynamic and growing commercial space industry and the recent inspiring Orion test flight were all made possible by two brothers who believed they could defy conventional wisdom and take to the sky. AIAA salutes the innovative and inspirational thinking, risk taking, and commitment that forever shape the future of aerospace.”