First Flight Lunar Module

08/29/2026

FROM THE PERICH FAMILY ARCHIVES

On July 26, 2026, we celebrated the 90th anniversary of six-year-old Neil Armstrong’s first airplane ride. The Warren and Champion Township resident took his first flight from Warren Airways (now the site of First Flight Lunar Module) in a Ford Tri-Motor airplane (the Tin Goose). This sparked young Neil’s life-long love of aviation.

This image is of a vintage promotional piece offering a visit to Historic Warren, Ohio.

We immediatly recognize:
• Warren Airways branded Ford Tri-Motor
• Warren Airways hangar
• The Trumbull County Courthouse
• First Presbyterian Church of Warren
• The Mahoning River

08/27/2026

It's a beautiful day to stop by First Flight! Open daily, dawn to dusk. Free admission. Learn about our local connections to Apollo 11 and the Space Shuttle missions.

08/27/2026

Congratulations to our friends at the Armstrong Air & Space Museum in Wapakoneta, Ohio!!

08/26/2026

Rest in Peace, Dolly.

NASA honors the memory of Dolly Parton, who passed away on Aug. 25, 2026.

In 1989, Dolly performed at NASA's Johnson Space Center's Rocket Park, alongside fellow musicians Willie Nelson and Kenny Rogers, to an audience of over 12,000 NASA employees and their families.

08/26/2026

08/24/2026

During STS-67 (Space Transportation System), ASE member and Warren, Ohio, native RONALD A. PARISE, Ph.D. posed for a picture with the Earth as his backdrop aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour in March 1995.

(Fun fact: He became a licensed radio operator when he was 11!)

A veteran of two space flights, Dr. Parise, logged more than 614 HOURS and 10.6 MILLION MILES in space. He served as a payload specialist aboard STS-35 in 1990 and STS-67 in 1995.

RON PARISE SPACE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE:

STS-35/Astro-1 COLUMBIA
(December 2-10, 1990).
The Astro observatory is a unique complement of three telescopes designed to simultaneously record spectral data, polarimetric data and imagery of faint astronomical objects in the far ultraviolet. Mission duration was 215 hours and 5 minutes. Landing was at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

STS-67/Astro-2 ENDEAVOUR
(March 2-18, 1995).
This was the second flight of the Astro observatory. During this recordsetting 16-day mission, the crew conducted observations around the clock to study the far ultraviolet spectra of faint astronomical objects and the polarization of ultraviolet light coming from hot stars and distant galaxies. Mission duration was 399 hours and 9 minutes. Landing was at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

08/24/2026

On August 23, 1952, Neil Armstrong was discharged from active duty service in the US Navy, leaving as an Ensign. He remained in the Navy Reserves until 1960, eventually reaching the rank of Lieutenant junior grade.

08/19/2026

Today is National Aviation Day! From the innovation of the Wright Brothers to the amazing piloting skills of Ernie Hall, John Glenn and Neil Armstrong, Ohio has been the home to so much of America’s aviation legacy.

Who is your favorite aviator? ✈️

08/18/2026

It’s a beautiful day visit First Flight!
We are open daily dawn to dusk.
FREE admission!