I finally managed to do my pilgrimage
to my Mecca, Kitty Hawk, where the first powered
flight of all times was done a little over a 100
years ago. This is a must for every pilot, and I
had saved up some hours to be able to make this
flight. The flight was done with Morten in a 172
and was the last of the so called SPIC hours, which
excluding multi engine, completes my training for
the European certificates here in the States.
I've tried once earlier to get up
to First Flight, but it failed as the crosswind
was too strong. I've been waiting for the right
conditions for a while now, and today I had both
the time and weather on my side.
The first flight of all time was done
17 December 1903 at 10:35. It lasted 12 seconds
and covered 120 feet. There was a total of 4 flights
conducted that day. There's a rail on the same spot
as it was 100 years ago and there has been raised
5 stones where the event took place. The first shows
the point of take off, the 4 others shows the different
points of landing. At a litte hill next to it there
is raised a monument.
I believed that I would be struck
by a lightning bolt as I was standing there at this
historic site, giving me incredible piloting skills,
but I can't say I felt any different as I flew back
home. But it was worth it nonetheless.
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The monument from the point of take off
Here I am next to the stone that marks the
first take off of all time
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