Wright Flyer I
| Wright Flyer | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Seconds into the first airplane flight, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina; December 17, 1903, Photo first published in 1908 | |
| Role | First airplane |
| National origin | United States |
| Designer | Orville and Wilbur Wright |
| First flight | December 17, 1903 |
| Number built | 1 |
| Developed from | Wright Glider |
| Developed into |
Wright Flyer II Wright Flyer III |
| Other name(s) | Flyer I, 1903 Flyer |
| Type | Experimental canard biplane |
| Manufacturer | Wright Cycle Company |
| Manufactured | 1903 |
| First flight | December 17, 1903 |
| Owners and operators | Wright Brothers |
| Last flight | December 17, 1903 |
| Flights | 4 |
| Total hours | 00:02 |
| Total distance | 1,500 feet (0.45km) |
| Fate | On display in the National Air & Space Museum |
| Preserved at | The Smithsonian |
The Wright Flyer (often retrospectively referred to as Flyer I or 1903 Flyer) was the first successful heavier-than-air powered aircraft. It was designed and built by the Wright brothers. They flew it four times on December 17, 1903, near Kill Devil Hills, about four miles south of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, US. Today, the airplane is exhibited in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C.
The U.S. Smithsonian Institution describes the aircraft as "the first powered, heavier-than-air machine to achieve controlled, sustained flight with a pilot aboard". The flight of Flyer I marks the beginning of the "pioneer era" of aviation.
The Flyer was based on the Wrights' experience testing gliders at Kitty Hawk between 1900 and 1902. Their last glider, the 1902 Glider, led directly to the design of the Flyer.
The Wrights built the aircraft in 1903 using giant spruce wood as their construction material. The wings were designed with a 1-in-20 camber. Since they could not find a suitable automobile engine for the task, they commissioned their employee Charlie Taylor to build a new design from scratch, effectively a crude gasoline engine. A sprocket chain drive, borrowing from bicycle technology, powered the twin propellers, which were also made by hand.
The Flyer was a canard biplane configuration. As with the gliders, the pilot flew lying on his stomach on the lower wing with his head toward the front of the craft in an effort to reduce drag. He steered by moving a cradle attached to his hips. The cradle pulled wires which warped the wings and turned the rudder simultaneously.
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