Making the pilgrimage to the roots of powered flight.
The approach to the uncontrolled First Flight Airport takes you down the coast and out over the Outer Banks and Albemarle Sound.Don’t let the gorgeous ocean view and the sun glistening off of the visitor’s center roof mesmerize you into complacency. Be vigilant.Once the wheels touch down, taxi back to transient parking on the south side of the field.Tie-down and head to the AOPA-donated pilot facility. It’s the perfect rest area. The clean, handicapped accessible, 900-square-foot facility is a well-equipped pilot lounge that includes a rest room and all the amenities an aviator needs.The Wright memorial is a 60-foot granite pylon sculpture sitting on a star-shaped base at the top of a lush green hill.North of the monument, housed in a mission-style architecture building, is the Wright Brothers Visitor Center and Museum.It’s worth the $4 entrance fee to the park to view replicas of the 1903 historic powered airplane (the original is housed in the Smithsonian Institute), the1902 glider along with various tools and machines used by the brothers.A 20-minute walk from the Wright Brothers Memorial is the Outer Banks Brewing Station.The first thing one notices when approaching the grounds is the 80-foot-tall, 3-blade wind turbine gently capturing nature’s free power source. This is after all America’s first wind powered brewery and brew pub.In addition to beer, patrons can delight in a North Carolina BBQ pork sandwich (from the local institution of Hardison’s Barbecue in Jamesville, North Carolina) served with hushpuppies, sweet baked beans and coleslaw ($8.99).Six nautical miles south of First Flight (a mere 18 statute miles by car) is Dare County Regional Airport (KMQI).Call the airport ahead of time (252-475-5570) to reserve the courtesy car and head down US 64 to Brine and Bottle.Chef Andrew Donovan and co-owner Ashley Whitfield offer a limited yet innovative, local, seasonal, small-plate menu and an eclectic, handpicked tiny beverage list.
