What Is the Wright Flyer?

by Peter Neeves

Overview

Modern aircraft work on the same principles as the Wright Flyer.

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The Wright Flyer is arguably the most significant aircraft in history. Orville and Wilbur Wright, owners of a bicycle shop in Dayton, Ohio, spent years working to design and build a powered aircraft. They succeeded, flying their Wright Flyer on December 17, 1903. This was the first successful flight of a powered, heavier than air, aircraft.
History

The Wright Brothers had flown several gliders before the first flight of the Wright Flyer. Orville Wright was the first to fly the Wright Flyer. The first flight lasted 12 seconds, covering a distance of only 37 feet. The brothers flew four times that day, taking turns at the controls. The longest flight of the day lasted 59 seconds and covered a distance of 852 feet.

Significance

Never before had anyone flown a heavy than air machine capable of taking off under its own power. The Wright Brothers are credited with ushering in the era of powered flight. The original Wright Flyer is on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
Features

The Wright Flyer was a biplane design, 21 feet long, with a wingspan of 40 feet and 4 inches. The brothers designed and built their own 12 horsepower four cylinder gasoline engine for the plane. Its two propellers were driven by chains. The Flyer was constructed of wood with a cloth covering.
Function

The Wright Brothers dedicated much time to developing a system to control the aircraft. They built a wind tunnel to test their theories. The Flyer used wing warping to turn the aircraft, and had a canard surface located at the front of the aircraft for pitch control. The basic control concepts of the Wrights are still used on modern aircraft.
Interesting Fact

The Wright Flyer did not have wheels. The Flyer had skids to land on. The aircraft took off from a track built on the ground. The brother's later aircraft had wheels.