Dayton’s national aviation heritage was in the spotlight Wednesday, Oct. 17, as a production crew for the Smithsonian Channel’s “Aerial America” TV series overflew several heritage sites for an upcoming episode. The flying produced an aerial spectacle of its own between 9-10 a.m. as “Aerial America’s” helicopter took off from Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport with Wright “B” Flyer Inc.’s Wright Model “B” look-a-like airplane and accompanied it up the I-675 corridor for a flyover of historic Huffman Prairie. The helicopter also made passes over the National Museum of the United States Air Force, the Wright Brothers Memorial, Hawthorn Hill (the Wright family mansion in Oakwood) and the Wright-Dunbar Neighborhood. The website for “Aerial America” says the series offers rare glimpses of our nation’s most treasured landmarks, all seen from breathtaking heights. Emily Osborne, coordinating producer for the series, said the crew has been in Ohio for several days, gathering airborne video around Akron, Canton, Marietta, Ohio University in Athens and other locations. Shooting in Dayton was unique, she said. Because of its rich and well-preserved history, “Dayton is all aviation,” she said. The episode including Dayton is expected to air sometime next year, Osborne said. The Smithsonian Channel features original documentaries, series and programs highlighting America’s historical, cultural and scientific heritage.
Photos and text courtesy of Timothy R. Gaffney
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