The Wilbur and Orville Society is a year round youth aeromodeling organization which meets most Friday evenings at the Museum. It’s mission: modeling leaders for flight’s second century. Society members have set national records and competed on the American National Team.

Aeromodeling students construct, test and fly rubber-band powered planes, hand launched gliders, catapult launched gliders and u-control planes. The basic materials are balsa and tissue or mylar coverings. Kits, plans or independent designs guide construction. Projects range from the basic Academy of Model Aeronautics Cub, to high-tech gliders with 50” wing spans.

There are two ways we can help you master the building of model planes. The approaches complement each other. For information contact the Eli Whitney Museum at 777.1833.

Fridays: Most Friday nights from 7 to 9 we host open workshops. Parents and children work together. You can buy models or parts. You can borrow tools. Advice on technique is available. The time is unstructured but invaluable in solving those problems that might otherwise stall your work.

Workshops: These are much more structured small groups. These guide you step by step through the construction of classic models. A parent may work with the child, or the child may work alone. The carolyn foundation has made this program possible. Participants in Aeromodeling classes become junior members of the Academy of Model Aeronautics.