History

From Model Airways Instructions



On December 17, 1903 at 10:35 a.m., Orville Wright accomplished the first manned, controlled, powered flight in the airplane that is known as the "Wright Flyer." The flight lasted about 12 seconds and the plane traveled as estimated 120 feet. Later that day at Kitty Hawk North Carolina, on the forth flight; Wilbur flew 852 feet in 59 seconds. During celebrations after the forth flight the wind turned the flyer over and it never flew again.



These flights were the result of four years of one of the greatest engineering feats of all time. The brothers used their free time from the bicycle business to study flight and systematically develop the flyer. By 1903 they had greatly improved the understanding of how wings produce lift, made the first systematic study ofhow to control an airplane and had designed the first practical propeller. Additionally, they had designed and built an engine powerful enough, yet light enough to be used in an airplane.



The Flyer had awingspan of 12.3m (40' 4") and a length of 6.1m (20' 1") and weighed 625 lbs (283 kg) with pilot. It was powered by an engine designed by the Wright Brothers and their machinist assistant Charlie Taylor. The engine produced 16 hp (12 watts) and weighed 150 lbs (68 kg). The pilot controlled the elevator with his left hand, the fuel flow to the engine with the right, and executed turns by moving his hips left and right.



The Flyer is now on permanent display in the entrance lobby of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C.