November 20, 2003 - EAA President Tom Poberezny received great news this afternoon (Thursday, November 20) from renowned test pilot, instructor Scott Crossfield: The Wright Flyer, built by The Wright Experience for EAA’s Countdown to Kitty Hawk celebration, successfully made its maiden voyage this afternoon with Dr. Kevin Kochersberger at the controls. More details are forthcoming, but the Flyer, an authentic reproduction of the first successful heavier-than-air aircraft, became airborne during a pilot training session at the Wright Brothers National Memorial, Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, where the plane will make the official recreation of the Wrights’ first flight on December 17.

“This is a wonderful success for all involved,” said Tom. Kochersberger, along with Terry Queijo, were the two pilots selected to make the December 17 commemorative flights, the first of which is scheduled to occur precisely at 10:35 a.m. ET, or 100 years to the second after the first successful flight made by Orville Wright. The two pilots will flip a coin to see who flies it, just as Orville and Wilbur did.