Near Dayton in Greene County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Miss that Tree!
Huffman Prairie Flying Field
— Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park —
Mystery of banked turns---combining rudder moves with wing warping--- was one of their most important steps toward developing what the brothers called a machine of practical utility.
(Inscription next to the photo at the bottom left side of the marker)
An unexpected gust of wind and a thorn-laden tree, like the ones you see far ahead in this field, helped Orville Wright figure out how best to handle his controls to turn his flying machine.
(Inscription under the photo at the upper right side of the marker)
In one flight in 1905, while circling around a honey locust tree at a height of about 50 feet, the machine suddenly began to turn up on one wing, and took a course toward the tree---not relishing the idea of landing in a thorn tree, (I) attempted to reach the ground. The left wing, however, struck the tree..and carried away several branches.
Orville Wright
Erected by National Park Service .
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.
Location. 39° 48.322′ N, 84° 3.628′ W. Marker is near Dayton, Ohio, in Greene County. Marker is on Pylon Road, 0.2 miles south of Marl Road, on the right when traveling south. Access is from Highway 444 at Communications Blvd. Visit the Interpretive Center first for driving directions. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dayton OH 45433, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Follow the Flight Path (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); They Had Done It! (about 500 feet away); A Starting Device (about 500 feet away); Flying Field to Air Force Base (about 700 feet away); Trials in an Old Swamp (about 700 feet away); The First Airport (approx. 0.2 miles away); Huffman Prairie Flying Field (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Huffman Prairie Flying Field (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dayton.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 4, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 451 times since then and 9 times this year. Last updated on April 28, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 13, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.