# Tags
#Aviation

Wright Brothers | The First Flight 17th December 1903

Two brothers oriville wright and Wilbur wright famously known as The Wright Brothers, were American aviation pioneers who were involved in inventing, building, and flying the world’s first successful motor-operated airplane. They made the first controlled, sustained aircraft flight on December 17th 1903 South of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. On the morning of December 17th, Wilbur and Orville Wright made four brief flights at Kitty Hawk with their first powered aircraft.

The First Flight

On the morning of 17th December 1903 at around 10:35AM Orville and Wilbur Wright took turns piloting and monitoring their flying machine Near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first successful self-propelled flight in history, heavier-than-air aircraft. Orville piloted the gasoline-powered, propeller-driven biplane, which stayed aloft for 12 seconds and covered 120 feet on its inaugural flight. Three more tests were made that day, with Wilbur and Orville alternately flying the airplane. That morning for the very first time, the brothers became the first people to demonstrate sustained flight of a heavier-than-air machine under the complete control of the pilot. And modern aviation was born.

The Second Flight

About 11:20 AM on the same day after the success of their first flight, Wright Brothers decided to take another flight. This flight was in command of Wilbur Wright. Even after making few changes to the flying machine he could not beat his brother flying time of first flight, he also flew for 12 seconds. But this time he managed to fly 175 Ft, 55Ft more what Orville Wright flew.

The third Flight

Twenty minutes later, Orville Wright took the control of the aircraft and flew for a third time and landing 200 feet from the starting point, and managed to fly for 15 Seconds making it the longest of the day.

The Final Flight 

Finally at 12:00 noon, Wilbur took the control for 2nd time and aircraft took off for a fourth time. The beginning of the flight was same first three. The Flyer pitched a fit as the Wilbur fought to control the elevator. 100 feet out and the aircraft was bucking up and down like a rodeo bull. After about 300 feet, Wilbur finally got a feel for the elevator and the Flyer’s path began to smooth out. He had passed the 800 foot mark when a gust of wind caught him and the airplane began its wild gyrations again. Wilbur fought it for a few seconds, trying to regain control, when the flyer suddenly darted for the ground. It landed 852 feet and 59 seconds from its starting point making it the longest and the most successful flight on the day.

During the next few years, the Wright brothers further developed their airplanes but kept a low profile about their successes in order to secure patents and contracts for their flying machines. By 1905, their aircraft could perform complex maneuvers and remain aloft for up to 39 minutes. In 1908, they traveled to France and made their first public flights, arousing widespread public excitement. In 1909, the U.S. Army’s Signal Corps purchased a specially constructed plane, and the brothers founded the Wright Company to build and market their aircraft. Wilbur Wright died of typhoid fever in 1912; Orville lived until 1948.

Dimensions of The Aircraft

Wingspan: 12.3 m (40 ft 4 in)

Length: 6.4 m (21 ft 1 in)

Height: 2.8 m (9 ft. 4 in)

Weight: Empty, 274 kg (605 lb) Gross, 341 kg (750 lb.)

Discover more from Aviation for Aviators

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading