Well, product development is important–even if the design is almost 100 years old. The Wright “B” Flyer Inc. has built a new replica of the aircraft that “really introduced the country to aviation,” said Amanda Wright Lane, great-grand-niece of Wilbur and Orville and trustee of the Dayton-based nonprofit group behind the project. The “Silver Bird” was on display at the National Business Aviation Association convention in Orlando this week and its portability is one of its main features.
Wright Lane said the group already has a flying replica of the B model but it’s hard (and expensive) to ship to airshows and conferences. The new one travels well and should be making the rounds of shows next year, after a first flight early next year, which is 100 years after the Wrights formed the Wright Company to produce military and civilian aircraft.
