When Wright “B” Flyer Inc. takes its one-of-a-kind airplane to AirVenture 2015 in July, it will require more than filing a flight plan. The current Wright “B” Flyer can only fly short distances between refueling stops and is tiring to fly. So instead of flying to AirVenture, volunteers will laboriously disassemble the 3,400-pound biplane, carefully load it into a custom trailer, and have it hauled overland to Oshkosh — where the same scenario will play out in reverse to put it together and fly it.
Transporting the next-generation, more mobile Wright “B” Flyer, will be a much simpler affair. This one will be designed for easy disassembly and scaled to fit in a standard shipping container that will allow the organization to show and display the airplane worldwide. Wright “B” Flyer Inc. has received more than $125,000 towards its $300,000 fundraising goal for the project, with a challenge grant to match up to another $50,000. The fundraising campaign recently advanced with the donation of a steel container by Benedict Tractor and Containers Inc. (BEI) of Monroe, Ohio. Wright “B” Flyer estimates the donation saved it more than $4,000.
“This container is exactly what we will need to represent America’s aviation heritage across the country and overseas. We’re extremely grateful for BEI’s support,” Wright “B” Flyer President William J. “Jay” Jabour said.
Like the current “B”, the new airplane will resemble the original, 1910-era Wright Model B Flyer, but it will use modern materials and meet modern safety standards. It will be built at the original Wright Company factory in Dayton with support from the National Aviation Heritage Alliance and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). The factory is where the Wright brothers produced the first Model B flyers more than a century ago, launching America’s aviation industry.
In addition to the shipping container, Wright “B” Flyer’s “wish list” includes an engine, instruments, materials, tools, professional services, and volunteers.
This article is from an earlier NAHA press release.
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