Despite the heavy rains of Tropical Storm Hanna that blanketed much of northern Virginia, the Centennial of Military Aviation celebration took place Sept. 6 at Ft. Myer, Va., to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of a series of flights made there by Orville Wright. (Read more about this history in The First Military Airplane) The anniversary event included the display of the working reproduction of the Wright Model A airplane—a 41-foot-wingspan design powered by a 28-horsepower engine—constructed by members of The Wright Experience. It will be on display throughout 2009 at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center before moving to its permanent home at the future National Museum of the United States Army at Ft. Belvoir, Va., about 15 miles south of Ft. Myer. (SAF/PA report by SMSgt. Matt Proietti)
Planning an Air Show Is Hard. At Andrews, It’s Even Harder
Sept. 17, 2025
Joint Base Andrews opened its flightline this month to thousands of civilians, exposing a normally restricted airbase that regularly hosts the president and foreign dignitaries to a curious public eager to see current and historic military aircraft up close and in action.
