While our new sustainable and energy efficient façade, as well as improvements to ticketing, baggage claim, and car rental areas,  are all reasons to celebrate the terminal modernization project’s final phase, there’s one feature visitors to the airport just can’t get enough of: the terrazzo floor.

This isn’t just any floor, however. The 26,000 square feet of shiny terrazzo honors the Dayton region’s rich aviation heritage. Silhouettes of airplanes, with labels detailing the aircrafts’ name, date of introduction, and historical significance, are part of this terrazzo exhibit. Selected in consultation with Dayton History, these 19 planes are featured:

• 1903 Wright Flyer – The first successful heavier-than-air, powered, piloted aircraft designed and built by the Dayton natives, Wilber and Orville Wright.
• 1904 Wright Flyer II – The second aircraft created by the Wright brothers and the first aircraft to complete 360-degree turn.
• 1905 Wright Flyer III – The first practical fixed-wing aircraft Wilber Wright flew over Huffman Prairie, now designated a National Historic Landmark.
• 1909 Wright Model A Military Flyer – The “heavier-than-air flying machine” used to train the Army’s first pilots.
• 1918 De Haviland DH-4 – Dubbed the “Liberty Plane,” this World War I fighter aircraft was manufactured by the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company.
• 1925 Ford Tri-Motor – The “Tin Goose” pioneered early passenger flight.
• 1927-47 WACO CG-4A – The World War II glider is from Troy, Ohio.
• 1930s WACO UP-7/VKS-7F – In the 1930s, WACO Aircraft Company was the largest producer of U.S. civilian planes.
• 1935 DC-3/C-47 – This airplane provided coast-to-coast commercial service.
• 1940 Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress – This four-engine bomber from World War II is extremely recognizable.
• 1940 North American P-51 Mustang – In WWII, this long-range, single-seat fighter-bomber was known as the best all-around fighter of World War II.
• 1945 Lockheed L-049 Constellation – This plane was among first to fly passengers to Dayton.
• 1948 North American F-86 Sabre – U.S. Air Force piloted this aircraft during the Korean War.
• 1955 Boeing B-52 Stratofortress – This aircraft is the longest serving bomber in U.S. history.
• 1967 General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark – U.S. Air Force built this supersonic, tactical aircraft.
• 1993 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III – Highly versatile, this aircraft served as a U.S. Air Force transporter.
• 1993 Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit – The “Stealth Bomber” is one of the world’s most technologically advanced aircraft.
• 1997 Lockheed F/A-22 Raptor – This fifth-generation, all-weather aircraft is a stealth fighter.
• 2001 Northrop Grumman RQ-4A Global Hawk – This advanced aircraft is an unmanned aerial vehicle.

So the next time you’re in the airport, take a moment to look down at the history underneath your feet. This is the legacy we’re building on every day. Thank you for being such an important part of it.