A SENATE RESOLUTION expressing support for designating october 2011 as north carolina soaring heritage month.
Whereas, Dare County has a rich heritage in the development of both powered and nonpowered flight with the Wright brothers' flight experiments in Kitty Hawk and Big Kill Devil Hill; and
Whereas, gliding and soaring are the most natural and environmentally friendly forms of flight, relying on the dynamics of natural entities, such as wind, temperature, and thermals for power and propulsion; and
Whereas, the gliding and soaring experiments of Orville and Wilbur Wright in Kitty Hawk, beginning in 1900, were instrumental in the execution of the first powered flight in 1903; and
Whereas, the Wright brothers' continued design, stability, and safety‑focused experiments on the Outer Banks made possible Orville Wright's nine minute and forty‑five second glider flight in 1911; and
Whereas, the 1911 glider flight set a world record for soaring that stood for 10 years; and
Whereas, the 1911 glider experiments were the last true field experiments for the Wright brothers and their last work on the Outer Banks; and
Whereas, the Wright brothers chose the Outer Banks as the location for their gliding and soaring experiments because of the area's steady winds, soft sands, and hospitable residents; and
Whereas, soaring has made "flying" more accessible and affordable to the public; and
Whereas, Jockey's Ridge State Park, home of the highest live sand dune on the East Coast, has been a center for soaring‑related flight and soaring‑related flight instruction for nearly 40 years and is being designated a National Landmark of Soaring administered by the National Soaring Museum; and
Whereas, Soaring 100, the centennial celebration of Orville Wright's glider flight on October 24, 1911, presents entertaining, cultural, historic, and educational events and opportunities for the general public and aviation enthusiasts, novice to professional; and
Whereas, Soaring 100 invites international attention and participation in observance of the Wright brothers' work on the Outer Banks; and
Whereas, the Soaring 100 commemoration is a collaboration of State and federal entities and the Outer Banks community volunteers supportive of two of North Carolina's most significant attractions (Jockey's Ridge State Park and the Wright Brothers National Memorial), located in Dare County, that are combining their resources as the host sites for Soaring 100 events; and
Whereas, the First Flight Foundation is joined by the First Flight Society, the Rogallo Foundation, and Outer Banks Visitors Bureau to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 1911 world record glider flight, October 21‑24, 2011, in partnership with The Soaring Society of America, NASA, United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, the Foundation for Free Flight, the National Soaring Museum, the Vintage Sailplane Association, and the Academy of Model Aeronautics; and
Whereas, Soaring 100 continues the legacy of the Wright brothers through another chapter in aviation history; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
SECTION 1.  The Senate recognizes the contributions of the Wright brothers and the Outer Banks in the development of soaring as a science, a sport, and a distinct field of aviation.
SECTION 2.  The Senate supports designating October 2011 as Soaring Heritage Month and encourages all citizens of North Carolina to learn about the State's aviation heritage.
SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.