Huffman Prairie Flying Field

On December 17, 2002, the Huffman Prairie Flying Field, designated as part of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park in Dayton, Ohio, reopened with a dedicated new entrance and improvements including upgraded facilities for access, parking and interpretation. The reopening was held in conjunction with the grand opening of the Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center. Both events were the result of a partnership between the National Park Service and the U.S. Air Force. The Huffman Prairie Flying Field was the site where the Wright Brothers perfected their airplane design. Their work culminated in the development and testing of the Wright Flyer III, considered the world's first practical aircraft and whose flight at Huffman Prairie Flying Field on October 5, 1905 - a flight of 24 miles in 39.5 minutes - was longer than all previous flights of 1903 and 1904 combined.