First Flight Society Announces 2024 Class of Honorary Members

First Flight Society Announces 2024 Class of Honorary Members

KITTY HAWK, N.C. – Nov. 19, 2024 – The First Flight Society announces two new Honorary Lifetime Members: Dr Peggy Chabrian, the founder of Women in Aviation International and aerobatic national champion Michael Goulian.

Dr. Chabrian is the founder of Women in Aviation International and was the first president from 1994 until September 2019. WAI is an organization dedicated to the advancement and support of women in the aviation industry. She grew the organization from 150 to thousands of members. Dr. Chabrian is a 2,500-hour pilot and flight instructor who has been flying for more than 30 years. She began her career as a university professor and administrator concentrating on aviation. Dr. Chabrian was just inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame this year. She has been CEO/President of Chabrian Aviation since 2018.

Mike Goulian is an American aerobatic champion. Goulian grew up in an aviation business family, which founded Executive Flyers Aviation. While earning his living as a corporate airline pilot, Goulian moved into air show display flying and competition aerobatics. He became the US National Champion in the Advanced Category at the age of 22. Goulian became one of the youngest pilots to win the United States Unlimited Aerobatic Championship at the age of 27. He has competed in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship as Team #99. In addition to his air show and air racing credentials, Michael Goulian is a Certified Flight Instructor. He owns and operates Mike Goulian Aviation in Massachusetts.

“The First Flight Society is proud to honor both Dr. Chabrian and Mr. Goulian with lifetime honorary memberships. They both help foster an interest and enthusiasm for aviation in the present day,” said Mike
Fonseca, president of the First Flight Society.

The Honorary Member program launched in 2020 to enhance the public visibility of luminaries like these who have achieved national recognition in aviation. First Flight Society will recognize them in Society
Media during their lifetime. In turn, FFS offers them the chance to attend the December 17th Luncheon in Kitty Hawk, NC and be honored along with that year’s Honoree.

This year’s honoree is famous Tuskegee Airman General Charles McGee. He will be inducted into the Paul E. Garber First Flight Shrine at Wright Brothers National Memorial on December 17, 2024.

More information about the event can be found at WrightBrothersDay.org.

More information about the First Flight Society can be found at FirstFlight.org

This Wright Brothers Day Is The 121st Anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ First Flight

Wright Brothers Day: December 17, 2024 – 121st Anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ First Powered Flight

First Flight Society 12-17-22

This year’s event will honor General Charles McGee, famous Tuskegee Airman. General McGee was also a nHonorary Lifetime Member of the First Flight Society.  The festivities will feature speakers from the National Park Service as well as a flyover, among other activities. For more information about Wright Brothers Day 2024, please click the button below.

121st Anniversary

Wright Brothers Day Luncheon

FFS Annual Luncheon Celebrating The Wright Brothers Legacy and Honoring Charles McGee, 2024 Paul E Garber Shrine Inductee. We will also have speakers and a delicious buffet lunch December 17th, 2023 at 12:00 noon at the Hilton Garden Inn Kitty Hawk.
Buy Luncheon Tickets

Help Support the Annual Wright Brothers Day Celebration!

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Win a Unique VIP Military Aviation Museum Experience!

ENTER TODAY for your chance to win this unique VIP Tour, Dinner and Stearman Ride at the Military Aviation Museum PLUS $1,000!

Donate Now To Enter

WIN a UNIQUE Personal Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the facilities with the Museum Director, a FLIGHT for one of you in their Original, 1941 Stearman PT-17 Trainer that has been restored to flight! Enjoy a PRIVATE VIP dinner on the campus for FOUR, and $1,000 for your visit expenses!

The Military Aviation Museum (MAM) in Virginia Beach, VA has one of the largest collections of historic military aircraft in the world. It is also the largest flying collection on display in an individual location. To experience these airplanes just as they were 80 years ago means the Military Aviation Museum is the best place in the world to visit them. Anyone can pay the entrance fee and tour the Museum, but no one can purchase the exclusive “behind the scenes” tour and dinner being offered by this Sweepstakes.

Taken together with their private grass strip, their airplanes and facilities have created a small piece of Virginia where more than 85,000 people per year come to find aviation history living and breathing around them, offering an experience that is altogether unique, where people can experience the stories of what is sometimes called the Greatest Generation, so that you can understand how adversity was overcome through courage, sacrifice, determination, optimism, and teamwork.

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Prize Details

Win the opportunity to have a unique personal behind-the-scenes tour of the facilities with the Museum Director, a flight for one of you in their Original, 1941 Stearman PT-17 Trainer that has been restored to flight! Fly for 30 minutes over the Virginia Beach area, and then enjoy a private VIP dinner on the campus for four, and $1,000 for your visit expenses! Unique because this is an experience not offered by the Military Aviation Museum to others, and when coordinating your visit with them it may allow you to see some of the many of their warbirds flying as well! We are proud to offer this opportunity in conjunction with the teaming between the First Flight Society and the MAM! Your experience can be taken on a date mutually agreeable to you and MAM (other than it cannot be redeemed on an MAM event weekend) within 12 months of winning.

Requirements for PT-17 Passenger

Rider or their Guardian will be required to complete a Flight Passenger Assumption of Risk, Waiver of Liability, and Release of All Claims prior to boarding the aircraft.

MAM reserves the right to refuse the flight due to limitations that would adversely impact your safety, the flight, or the crew, such as height and weight, physical or mental impairments, health complications, or any other issues that the management or pilot deems a risk.

The weight limit is 300 lbs. for passengers on a flight. Additionally, every passenger must be able to enter and exit the aircraft under their own power and without external medical devices (i.e. oxygen tanks etc.). The seatbelt and shoulder straps must also fit correctly, and secure the rider.

In the interest of safety, the staff or pilot may make the decision that it is unsafe to fly a passenger.

Donate Now to Enter

MILITARY AVIATION MUSEUM

1341 Princess Anne Rd, Virginia Beach, VA

+1 757-721-7767

Charles McGee Selected as 2024 Paul E Garber Shrine Honoree.

Charles McGee Selected as 2024 Paul E Garber Shrine Honoree.

By: First Flight Society, Inc 

KITTY HAWK, N.C. – April 16, 2024 – The First Flight Society announced today that Brigadier General Charles McGee has been named the 2024 Honoree to be inducted into the Dr. Paul E. Garber First Flight Shrine located in the Museum and Visitors Center at the Wright Brothers National Memorial, Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, USA.

This honor is selected annually by a high-level panel appointed by the First Flight Society, from among numerous nominations submitted from around the world as well as compiled lists of qualified candidates. The induction ceremony will be held on Wright Brothers Day, December 17, 2024, with a celebration banquet held on December 16, 2024, in Kitty Hawk. A portrait of McGee will be unveiled and presented at the ceremony on December 17th, 2024, celebrating the 121st Anniversary of the Wright Brothers First Flight.

Charles Edward McGee (December 7, 1919 – January 16, 2022) was a member of the 332nd Fighter Group in World War II, also known as the Tuskegee Airmen. His military service was 30 years from 1942-1973 with over 409 combat missions in WWII, the Korean war, and the Vietnam war. McGee was highly decorated with awards including Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, and Air Medal.

In 2020 Charles McGee was inducted as an Honorary Lifetime Member of the First Flight Society. That same year he participated in the coin toss for Super Bowl LIV and was promoted from colonel to brigadier general.

McGee was married to his wife Frances for over 50 years until her death. McGee lived until the age of 102 and is buried in Arlington Cemetery.

William Douglas, Chairman of the First Flight Society’s National Advisory Committee, served as Chair of the Dr. Paul E. Garber Shrine Selection Panel and managed the selection process.

Honorees for the Paul E. Garber First Flight Shrine are selected annually by a National Advisory Committee from a list of nominees submitted to the First Flight Society and public that is passed to the Committee for consideration. For 2025 the committee accepts a letter of nomination accompanied by supporting documentation. 

The nominee(s) may but does not have to be a “first” but rather “…a person, living or dead, who since December 17, 1903, either personally or with the assistance of others, have made such outstanding accomplishments in support of flight operations that they are generally recognized nationally and internationally for their achievements and contributions to aerospace activities.” 

The Nomination Form for the Paul E. Garber First Flight Shrine can be downloaded from https://paulgarbershrine.org/call-for-nominations .

This should be mailed with any supporting documents to:  First Flight Society, Post Office Box 1903, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949.   Nominations may also be emailed to: admin@firstflight.org.

Nominations are due April 30, 2024. Questions can be addressed to the NAC Chair, Bill Douglas at NAC@firstflight.org

For more information about the Paul E Garber Shrine visit www.firstflight.org/first-flight-shrine/

The First Flight Society created the Paul E Garber Shrine in 1966 to honor individuals and groups for achieving significant “firsts” in aviation development since 1903. Charles Lindbergh, Mary Feik, John Glenn, Katherine Johnson (Hidden Figures), Gail Halvorsen, Sally K. Ride and most recently Walter and Olive Ann Beech, among others.

First Flight Society’s vision is: One day people everywhere will be inspired by the dauntless resolution and tireless work of the Wright Brothers. Their mission is to tell the story of the Wright Brothers through community events, education, and the commemoration of the world’s very first powered flight, in Kitty Hawk, NC.

More information about the First Flight Society can be found at https://firstflight.org

March Membership Drive

*2024 Membership Drive!*

How would you like to win a 120th Anniversary Silver Coin?

First Flight Society merch

Starting immediately and ending April 6th, the member gaining the most new membership points receives a 120th Anniversary Silver Coin and the runner-up receives the Brass proof version.

The winner wil be recognized at the April 13th Wilbur Wright Day Luncheon.

Scoring will be:

  • 1 point for a new or renewed one-year member
  • 3 points for a 3-year member
  • 10 points for a 3-year Life member
  • 30 points for full Life member

Points will be registered by Admin based on the member’s referral included with the new member or made by the FFS member.

I want to start earning points!

Introducing The 2024 First Flight Society Board

The First Flight Society announces its Board of Directors for 2024. Most of the directors are from North Carolina.

The newly elected Executive Committee consists of:

President-Mike Fonseca

Vice President-Paul Wright Jameson

Finance Committee Chair- Erica Paynter

Marketing/Membership Committee Chair-William “Bill” Douglas

Education Committee Chair-Judith Fearing

The rest of the 2024 board consists of:

Paul Carr, Sara Lou Copeland, Danny Couch, M. Roy Daniels, III, Dr Charles Davidson, Mark Flynn, Orestes Gooden, Penny Leary Smith, William Nelson, Mike Smith, K Lynn Tadlock. Erica Paynter is new to the board this year.

The FFS plans an annual celebration at the Wright Brothers National Memorial on Wright Brothers Day, December 17th to memorialize the work of the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk, NC. First Flight Society also celebrates Wilbur Wright Day on April 16th and National Aviation Day on August 19th which is also Orville Wright’s birthday. December 17, 2024 is the 121st anniversary of the Wright Brothers first flight.

They created the Paul E Garber Shrine in 1966 to honor individuals and groups for achieving significant “firsts” in aviation development since 1903: Charles Lindbergh, General Chuck Yeager, Mary Feik, John Glenn, Katherine Johnson (Hidden Figures) and most recently Walter & Olive Ann Beech among others. The 2024 Inductee will be announced on April 16th.

Without the First Flight Society there would not be a Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. The Kill Devil Hills Memorial Association, later named First Flight Society, began as a group of local businessmen who successfully petitioned the US Congress to fund and build a monument to the Wright Brothers’ 1903 achievement. The FFS celebrates its 97th year in 2024.

First Flight Society has the Vision that One day people everywhere will be inspired by the dauntless resolution and tireless work of the Wright Brothers. Their Mission is that We tell the story of the Wright Brothers through community events, education, and the commemoration of the world’s very first powered flight, in Kitty Hawk, NC


More information about the First Flight Society can be found at https://firstflight.org  or https://wrightbrothersday.org.

Link to Press release:

Introducing the 2024 First Flight Society Board of Directors

Today is Giving Tuesday

Today is GivingTuesday




It’s go time! TODAY is #GivingTuesday, and First Flight Society has set a goal to raise $5000 in just 24 hours. Those funds will allow us to fulfill our mission to tell the story of the Wright Brothers through community events, education, and the commemoration of the world’s very first powered flight, in Kitty Hawk, NC. It truly takes a village to make real change, and we’re so lucky to have such a dedicated community of supporters. Together, we can do this. 

If you haven’t done so already, please tell your friends and family about our campaign. Spreading the word gets our voices heard and the donations rolling in!

Ways to Contribute:
1.        Make a direct contribution to support our cause.
2.        Become a recurring donor and provide sustained help.
3.        Give your time and skills to make a hands-on impact.
4.        Share our mission on social media and raise awareness.
5.        Donate in memory or celebration of a loved one.

How to stay connected with us:

Social Media: www.Facebook.com/FirstFlightSociety
Company Website: www.Firstflight.org
Contribute Directly: www.Firsftflight.org/donate

From, 
First Flight Society Team

Today is #GIVINGTUESDAY
I want to donate for Giving Tuesday



Thank you! Every gift regardless of size helps us fulfill our mission. 

Mike Fonseca
President
First Flight Society

  Donate

First Flight Society Announces 2023 Class of Honorary Members

KITTY HAWK, N.C. – November 19, 2023 – The First Flight Society announces two new Honorary Lifetime Members: Record holder Mack Rutherford, and pilot Erik Lindbergh.

Mack Rutherford became the youngest person to fly solo around the world and the youngest person to fly a microlight aircraft solo around the globe. Now 18, Mack started his 5-month journey at age 17. Mack landed in Sofia, Bulgaria on August 24, 2022, completing a trip that took him across 52 countries. Mack was born to British parents but has grown up in Belgium. He joins his older sister Zara Rutherford as a First Flight Society Honorary Lifetime member.

Erik Lindbergh is a pilot, adventurer, artist and entrepreneur. He is the Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of VerdeGo Aero which provides Powertrain Systems and Engineering Services to the electric aircraft industry. Erik is the Co-Host of The Lindberghs podcast and serves as Chairman of the Board of the Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation. He is also on the board of trustees of the XPRIZE Foundation. His grandfather, Charles Lindbergh was inducted into the Paul E Garber First Flight Shrine in 1967.

“The First Flight Society is proud to honor both Mack Rutherford and Erik Lindbergh with lifetime honorary memberships. They are both great individuals who are currently influencing the field of aviation,” said Mike Fonseca, president of the First Flight Society.

Previous FFS Honorary Members include General Charles McGee, Colonel Gail Halvorsen, Patty Wagstaff, Rob Holland, Sean D Tucker, Zara Rutherford and Nicole Malachowski.

The Honorary Member program launched in 2020 to enhance the public visibility of luminaries like these who have achieved national recognition in aviation. First Flight Society will recognize them in Society Media during their lifetime. In turn, FFS offers them the chance to attend the December 17th Luncheon in Kitty Hawk, NC and be honored along with that year’s Honoree.

This year’s honorees are Walter and Olive Ann Beech, founders of Beechcraft. They will be inducted into the Paul E. Garber First Flight Shrine at Wright Brothers National Memorial on December 17, 2023.

More information about the event can be found at https://www.wrightbrothersday.org/.

More information about the First Flight Society can be found at https://www.firstflight.org/

This Wright Brothers Day Is The 120th Anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ First Flight

Wright Brothers Day: December 17, 2023 – 120th Anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ First Powered Flight

First Flight Society 12-17-22

This year’s event will honor Walter and Olive Ann Beech, American aviators and early aviation entrepreneurs who co-founded the Beech Aircraft Company—now called Beechcraft—in 1932.  The festivities will feature speakers from the National Park Service as well as a flyover, among other activities. For more information about Wright Brothers Day 2023, please click the button below.

120th Anniversary

Wright Brothers Day Luncheon

FFS Annual Luncheon Celebrating The Wright Brothers Legacy and Honoring Walter and Olive Ann Beech 2023 Paul E Garber Shrine Inductee. We will also have speakers and a delicious buffet lunch December 17th, 2023 at 12:00 noon at the Hilton Garden Inn Kitty Hawk.
Buy Luncheon Tickets