Nags Head, NC - Have you ever flown a kite? Watched hang gliders soar the skies above? Imagined what it would be like to enjoy free flight? If you said yes to any of these questions, you've probably been witness to the works of famous inventer and flight enthusiast, Francis Regallo. Mr Regallo's research is the basis for many of today's stunt kites as well as being the framework for the modern hang glider.

With a passion for flight and the vision of flex wing flight, Francis Regallo began his work in the 1940's to pursue his ideas. Working as an areonautical engineer in Hampton, Virginia, he tried to build interest for the development of the flex wing, but found no takers. Starting at his kitchen table, working with small paper models, his ideas began to take shape. With the help of his wife Gertrude and pieces of their dining room curtains, the kite began to develop even further. It was not long before he had a patent on the design and was looking for outlets to share his flex wing. Again, seeing no interest from the areonautical industry, his design made it's way to the toy market.

Later, as the space race intensified, NASA began to look into various forms of flight, including Regallo's wing. Never claiming the rights to the patent he held, Regallo allowed his flex wing design to be used royalty free, in hopes that NASA would benefit from it's use. By the 1960's, NASA had lost interest in the idea. However, by that time, Regallo's work found it's niche in the hang gliding community, which was closer to what he had hoped for anyway. Now we honor him as the father of hang gliding. At this time of year, we are also honoring his 90th birthday which was January 27th. Happy Birthday Rog, and thank you for all your passion and numerous contributions to the development of free flight!

Bodie Island Lighthouse
Structural Report in Progress
January, 2002
Cheryl Shelton-Roberts
Outer Banks Lighthouse Society
BODIE ISLAND NEWS
Outer Banks

The National Park Service continues to plan the restoration of the Bodie Island Lighthouse. A structural report, now in progress, followed by an analysis of this report will begin the long process. OBLHS is directly involved in assisting the park with the structural study as well as the nomination of the lighthouse to the National Registry of Historic Places.

Photo courtesy Bruce Roberts

Currituck Beach Lighthouse:
The nonprofit Outer Banks Conservationists, Inc. (OBC) has applied to the Department of the Interior for ownership of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, recently declared surplus property. This nonprofit organization has done an exemplary job restoring and preserving all parts of the light station for twenty years under a lease with the state. It has been reported that the Currituck County Commissioners and the state of North Carolina have also applied for ownership. Twenty years ago when the light station was overgrown with weeds and the buildings deteriorating, no one but the OBC was willing to undertake the task to restore all parts of the light station to its original glory and open it to the public.

Photo courtesy Bruce Roberts

Cape Lookout Lighthouse:
Cape Lookout National Park staff are active in providing educational materials to surrounding schools in Carteret County. Enthusiasm is high at this park for future restoration and opening of this lighthouse. The US Coast Guard has declared the lighthouse surplus property and a transfer to the National Park Service is pending.

Visit a lighthouse and lend your support. In these defining times in our country, we must be committed to saving our historic properties.

This article was brought to you by The Outer Banks Lighthouse Society (OBLHS), a private, non-profit, all-volunteer organization, advocates the preservation of the history and artifacts of the U.S. Lighthouse Service.

Lighthouse Tour

Driving Directions to all North Carolina's Lighthouses
Cheryl Roberts
ANNOUNCEMENT
MOREHEAD CITY, NC

Most people visiting the Outer Banks of North Carolina want ot visit at least one of the lighthouses. The Outer Banks Lighthouse Society has prepared a Driving Tour from north to south along coastal North Carolina.

Of the existing towers you have a choice of seven lighthouses to visit, and you can see the ruins of an eighth light. Theses lighthouses are so interesting days can be spent in the surrounding area of each one. You are invited to visit a lighthouse soon.

Outer Banks At A Glance

Staff Report
FACTS
OUTER BANKS, NC

Here's where to find the Outer Banks basics: