Ohio Air & Space Trail

Explore Ohio’s Rich Aviation
and Aerospace History

Ohio Air & Space Trail

Explore Ohio’s Rich Aviation
and Aerospace History

“That’s one small step for man;
one giant leap for mankind,”

“That’s one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind,”

- Neil Armstrong

Many small steps led to that first giant leap for mankind, and many of these steps occurred in Ohio.

Before Wapakoneta native Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, the Wright brothers invented the first controlled airplane in their small Dayton bike shop. William Grimes illuminated night flights through the invention of aviation lighting just a few miles from the Wrights' test field. A pair of scientists in a top-secret laboratory in Miamisburg created spacecraft power systems that made exploration of deep space possible. These are just a few examples of how Ohioans propelled aviation and space exploration. Today, Ohio remains at the epicenter of aviation and aerospace research, innovation and manufacturing.

Follow in the footsteps (or flight paths) of pioneer aviators, innovators and explorers who helped the world take flight. Explore more than 30 museums and historic sites to learn more about Ohio’s contribution to aviation and aerospace.

“The desire to fly is an idea handed down to us by our ancestors who... looked enviously on the birds soaring freely through space... on the infinite highway of the air,”

 – Wilbur Wright

Wheels up! Discover the sites where you can delve deeper into the stories of the remarkable men and women who made significant contributions to flight. Choose to explore every site along the Ohio Air & Space Trail, or sort by the storylines below. Sites that feature visitor experiences best related to each theme are identified.

The Birthplace of Aviation

Without the invention of flight, our world would be a different place. Thanks to Dayton brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright, it’s a world we don’t have to imagine. Their success in...

Innovation

Ohio nurtured and drew creative minds to achieve innovation in air and space...

Service to Country

Ohio produced pilots, crews, planes, parts and materials for war efforts. During WWII...

Training

The discovery of flight produced the need to train pilots. With the onset of each...

Space Exploration

Among the 26 astronauts hailing from Ohio was the first astronaut to orbit earth...

Preservation & Flying Experiences

There are many places and people in Ohio dedicated to preserving historic...

Aviation Feats
& Spectacles

Aviation at its heart is a quest for adventure. Stories abound about stunt-flyers...

These are just a small sample of the amazing stories and themes you will discover for yourself on the Ohio Air & Space Trail.

Go for Launch

Ready to “take off” on your journey to explore air and space in Ohio? Explore this interactive map. Start at any point and be sure to share your stories with America 250-Ohio by using the hashtag #ohiotrailsandtales.

Resources for the Road

We’ve gathered some of our favorite songs inspired by flight and space. Enjoy the journey.

Want to Learn More?

Bok’s Giant Leap:
One Moon Rock’s Journey Through Time and Space.

Written by Neil Armstrong

First Man:
The Life of Neil A. Armstrong.

Written by James Hansen

Aerial Nurse Corps of America:
Lauretta Schimmoler and Leora Stroup
Pilot-in AirEvac

Written by Cynthia Broze

The Wright Brothers
Written by David McCullough
The John Glenn Story
This 1962 NASA film is introduced by President John Kennedy
Keep Your Airspeed Up:
The Story of a Tuskegee Airman

Written by Harold H. Brown and Marsha Bordner
Black and White Airmen: Their True History
Written by John Fleischman and John Leahr and Herb Heilbrun of Cincinnati

Study Guides and Activities

Other Trails to Explore

The Birthplace of Aviation

Without the invention of flight, our world would be a different place. Thanks to Dayton brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright, it’s a world we don’t have to imagine. Their success in creating the first practical plane inspired others and led to more aviation milestones made in Ohio, including the first passenger airship, advancements in control systems for planes like the Benoist Type XII, and early monoplanes.

Innovation

Ohio nurtured and drew creative minds to achieve innovation in air and space technologies. Because of this work, air travel is now our preferred method of long-distance travel. Explore Akron’s lighter-than-air development and the creation of the free-fall parachute at McCook Field in Dayton. Learn about an Ohio engineer’s contribution to stealth technology, how Ohio’s automobile industry inspired aviation breakthroughs, and ongoing discoveries that improve the efficiency, practicality, and safety of flying.

Service to Country

Ohio produced pilots, crews, planes, parts and materials for war efforts. During WWII, it was among the top states who contributed soldiers and played a key industrial role in supply production. Hear stories from Tuskegee airmen. Learn how women were vital in the war effort, working as “Rosies” in many Ohio factories, serving as pilots through the WASP program and training as engineers as Curtiss-Wright Cadettes. Ohioans also founded the Aerial Nurse Corps and the Civil Air Patrol.

Training

The discovery of flight produced the need to train pilots. With the onset of each war, the need grew even greater. From the Wright Brothers Flying School at Huffman Field to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, discover how Ohio played a significant role in training pilots, both military and civilian. Explore early flight simulators, as well as NASA’s Space Shuttle Crew Compartment Container used to prepare crews for orbit. Ohio continues to launch state-of-the-art training and has recently announced construction of a commercial astronaut training program near Cleveland.

Space Exploration

Among the 26 astronauts hailing from Ohio was the first astronaut to orbit earth and the first to place a boot on the moon. Ohioans advanced women in space, conducted important aerospace research, and produced key components that made space flight possible. Today, there are NASA research and testing stations, more than 550 aviation and aerospace manufacturers and world-class opportunities for STEM education that keep Ohioans reaching for the stars.

Preservation
& Flying Experiences

There are many places and people in Ohio dedicated to preserving historic aircraft and the stories that go along with them. In “‘ fact, the National Aviation Heritage Area is dedicated by Congress to preserve and promote the Dayton region’s legacy to aviation. Some of the trail sites provide flying experiences in vintage aircraft allowing you to experience flying for yourself.

Aviation Feats & Spectacles

Aviation at its heart is a quest for adventure. Stories abound about stunt-flyers, air races, movie flyers, and solo flights, like the one that Columbus native Jerrie Mock made as the first women to successfully fly around the world in 1964. As these courageous pilots take to the sky, they never know who’s watching. A 17-year-old John Glenn attended the Cleveland National Air Show with his father, and it changed history. Glenn says of the experience watching the air show, “Flying beckoned me like never before.”