- How the Wright Brothers became the pioneers of aviation
- Details on the tests done on each version of the Wright Flyer
- The Process of creating the final product that flew
The Wright Brothers are crowned as the first aviation pioneers to invent, build, and fly the world’s first motor-operated airplane. In the early 1900s, the Wright Brothers developed this aircraft to make long running aerodynamic flights using the successful three-axis control system which enabled the pilot to steer the aircraft while maintaining balance. The Brothers commend their success in mechanics to their years working with bikes, motors, and other machinery. On July 27th, 1899, the two brothers put to the test their first flying aircraft model which was 5 feet wide. In early tests, the wings would warp, or twist, and this was controlled by four lines between the aircraft and some crossed sticks held by the kite flyer, as a result the aircraft was more controlled. The Brothers travelled to North Carolina, where the wind conditions were perfect for testing an aircraft. As the tests became more and more successful, bigger models were produced and tested.
The first flight of the Wright Flyer with a pilot was on December 17th, 1903 and was produced out of lightweight wood and muslin for surface covering. The Flyer made two flights into 27 mph winds, while the aircraft covered about 200 feet of distance. As more and more tests were done, the aircraft made more and more ground, covering over 850 feet and a flight time of just under a minute. After proving people wrong, and making a stepping stone for the world to pick up in the world of aviation, NASA named the first Martian take-off and landing area for the 2021 Ingenuity helicopter, which holds the original cloth from the Wright Flyer, the “Wright Brothers Field.”
