Wright BrothersWright Brothers

1896 - 19141896 - 1914

Modern Aviation InfluencesModern Aviation InfluencesChinese kiteChinese kite

Primitive aeroplanePrimitive aeroplaneSupported in the air by the action of wind upon Supported in the air by the action of wind upon

an inclined surfacean inclined surface

WindmillWindmillRecognized significance as propellerRecognized significance as propeller

Sir George CayleySir George CayleyConsidered first aeronautical engineerConsidered first aeronautical engineer

Idea conceived in 1804Idea conceived in 1804

Defined problemDefined problemMechanical flight vs chemical flightMechanical flight vs chemical flight

Sketched fixed-wing gliderSketched fixed-wing gliderhad empennagehad empennage fuselagefuselageand wingand wing

1809 - built model glider and flew1809 - built model glider and flew

Cayley’s 1804 GliderCayley’s 1804 Glider

Henson & StringfellowHenson & Stringfellow

Organized Aerial Transit CompanyOrganized Aerial Transit CompanyBuilt 20-foot model of monoplaneBuilt 20-foot model of monoplaneTest flight in 1847Test flight in 1847

Failed to flyFailed to flyDemonstrated possibility ofDemonstrated possibility of

heavier-than-air flightheavier-than-air flight

Built 10-foot modelBuilt 10-foot model““Launch-by-wire” aircraftLaunch-by-wire” aircraft

Felix du TempleFelix du TempleFlew steam-powered model in 1857Flew steam-powered model in 1857

Built full-size modelBuilt full-size modelUsed tractor propellerUsed tractor propeller1874 – rolled down ramp and hopped into air1874 – rolled down ramp and hopped into airUsed high-speed circulation steam engineUsed high-speed circulation steam engine

Otto LilienthalOtto LilienthalConstructed/flew glidersConstructed/flew gliders

Logged nearly 2,000 glider flightsLogged nearly 2,000 glider flightsConstructedConstructed

5 types of monoplane gliders5 types of monoplane gliders2 bi-plane gliders with bat-wing shape2 bi-plane gliders with bat-wing shape

Octave ChanuteOctave ChanuteEngineer of complex bridges and railroad Engineer of complex bridges and railroad

terminalsterminals Interested shifted to aviationInterested shifted to aviationCompiled “Progress in Flying Machines”Compiled “Progress in Flying Machines”

ChanuteChanute

William Avery - GlidingWilliam Avery - Gliding St Louis World FairSt Louis World Fair Flown more than 80 times Flown more than 80 times

at Fairat Fair Became mentor to Wright Became mentor to Wright

BrothersBrothers Witnessed early Wright Witnessed early Wright

flightsflights

Wright BrothersWright BrothersLived in Dayton OhioLived in Dayton Ohio

Opened bicycle shopOpened bicycle shopAviation interestAviation interest

Lilienthal’s deathLilienthal’s deathPilot control was key successful and safe flightPilot control was key successful and safe flightBegan glider flights to solve problemBegan glider flights to solve problem

Problems of mechanical flightProblems of mechanical flightStabilityStabilityManeuverabilityManeuverabilityDesign relatively unstable airplaneDesign relatively unstable airplane

Wright GlidersWright Gliders 1900 Glider – (bi-plane) only flew a few days1900 Glider – (bi-plane) only flew a few days

Wilbur flew as a kite (tethered)Wilbur flew as a kite (tethered) Most were unpilotedMost were unpiloted

By design unstableBy design unstableWing warping controlled by wingsWing warping controlled by wingsPilot in prone positionPilot in prone position

1901 Glider (50 – 100 flights in summer)1901 Glider (50 – 100 flights in summer) Larger wing surfaceLarger wing surface 2 disappointments2 disappointments

Only produced 1/3 lift calculatedOnly produced 1/3 lift calculatedWing warping sometimes responded in opposite directionWing warping sometimes responded in opposite direction

Known as adverse yawKnown as adverse yaw

Wright GlidersWright Gliders Determined equations calculating lift were wrongDetermined equations calculating lift were wrong

Built wind tunnelBuilt wind tunnel Conducted systematic tests on miniature wingsConducted systematic tests on miniature wings

Basic test on 200 wings of many shapesBasic test on 200 wings of many shapesDetailed tests on 38 of themDetailed tests on 38 of themLonger narrower wings were an important discoveryLonger narrower wings were an important discovery

1902 Glider (1,000 flights in summer)1902 Glider (1,000 flights in summer) Made airfoil flatter (reduce camber)Made airfoil flatter (reduce camber)

Discarded Lilienthal’s dataDiscarded Lilienthal’s data

Fixed, rear vertical rudderFixed, rear vertical rudderEliminate adverse yawEliminate adverse yawHinged rudder and wing warping togetherHinged rudder and wing warping together

Wright GlidersWright Gliders 1902 Glider (Con’t)1902 Glider (Con’t)

RudderRudder Aim or align aircraft correctly during banking turnsAim or align aircraft correctly during banking turns

Three-axis control evolvedThree-axis control evolvedWing warp – lateral motionWing warp – lateral motionForward elevator – up and downForward elevator – up and downRear rudder – side to sideRear rudder – side to side

1902 Glider1902 GliderAchieved true control on Oct 8, 1902Achieved true control on Oct 8, 1902Now ready to add powerNow ready to add powerInvention of the airplaneInvention of the airplane

Adding PowerAdding Power 1903 Wright Flyer I 1903 Wright Flyer I

Carved own wooden propellersCarved own wooden propellers Built gasoline engine in bicycle shopBuilt gasoline engine in bicycle shop

Charles Taylor built engine in 6 weeksCharles Taylor built engine in 6 weeksUsed aluminum for weightUsed aluminum for weight

Weeks of delaysWeeks of delaysBroken propeller shaftsBroken propeller shafts

First AttemptFirst Attempt14 Dec 190314 Dec 1903

Rail laid downhill and into the windRail laid downhill and into the windLanding gear was skidsLanding gear was skidsWilbur Wright won coin tossWilbur Wright won coin tossStalled after takeoff, damaging FlyerStalled after takeoff, damaging FlyerNose up too high – pilot errorNose up too high – pilot errorFlyer repairedFlyer repaired

17 Dec 190317 Dec 1903Orville’s TurnOrville’s Turn

Rail moved to level groundRail moved to level ground5 witnesses and a camera for verification5 witnesses and a camera for verification120’ in 12 seconds120’ in 12 secondsAttributed shortness to lack of experienceAttributed shortness to lack of experience

Achieved first manned, powered, controlled, Achieved first manned, powered, controlled, and sustained flight in the airplaneand sustained flight in the airplane

17 Dec 190317 Dec 1903WilburWilbur

175 feet in 11 seconds175 feet in 11 seconds

OrvilleOrville200 feet in 15 sec200 feet in 15 sec

WilburWilbur852 feet in 59 seconds852 feet in 59 seconds

Damaged planeDamaged plane

Wright PatentWright Patent1903 application1903 application

DismissedDismissedHired lawyer – Henry ToulminHired lawyer – Henry Toulmin

Claim of a new/useful method to control Claim of a new/useful method to control flying machineflying machineWing warping and other methodsWing warping and other methodsSteerable rear vertical rudder and combination Steerable rear vertical rudder and combination

with wing warpingwith wing warpingForward elevatorForward elevator

Glenn Curtiss and others devised aileronsGlenn Curtiss and others devised ailerons

190419041903 Flyer was not practical aircraft1903 Flyer was not practical aircraftSet up at Huffman PrairieSet up at Huffman Prairie

Built airportBuilt airportRemoval of bar wire fencesRemoval of bar wire fencesConstruction of hangerConstruction of hangerInstallation of launch railsInstallation of launch rails

Developed Wright Flyer No. 2Developed Wright Flyer No. 2Less camber/more horsepowerLess camber/more horsepowerNew propeller gearingNew propeller gearing

19041904Required longer starting railsRequired longer starting rails

Kept low to the groundKept low to the groundSept - Used weight-powered catapult for Sept - Used weight-powered catapult for

takeoffstakeoffs20 Sep 1904 – first complete circle flight20 Sep 1904 – first complete circle flightEnd of year – 50 minutes in the air in 105 flightsEnd of year – 50 minutes in the air in 105 flights

Wright Flyer No. 3Wright Flyer No. 3New machine except for 1904 engineNew machine except for 1904 engine

Separate control for rear rudderSeparate control for rear rudder

Orville near fatal accident - ImprovementsOrville near fatal accident - ImprovementsEnlarged forward elevator and rear rudderEnlarged forward elevator and rear rudderPlace several feet farther away from Place several feet farther away from

wingswingsImproved stability and controlImproved stability and control

49 flight in 190549 flight in 1905Many 17 – 38 minutes in lengthMany 17 – 38 minutes in lengthMost ended because fuel ran outMost ended because fuel ran out

Non-FlyingNon-FlyingNo flights in 1906 and 1907No flights in 1906 and 1907

No patentNo patentOffered to sell flying machineOffered to sell flying machineEuropean skepticsEuropean skeptics

Refurbished Wright Flyer No. 3Refurbished Wright Flyer No. 3US Army Signal Corps (Dec 1907)US Army Signal Corps (Dec 1907)

Invited proposalsInvited proposals41 bids received41 bids receivedWright Brothers won contractWright Brothers won contract

1908 – Contract with French company1908 – Contract with French company

Refurbished Wright Flyer No. 3Refurbished Wright Flyer No. 3US Army Signal CorpsUS Army Signal Corps

Contract required carrying passengerContract required carrying passengerModified 1905 FlyerModified 1905 FlyerSeat for pilot and one passengerSeat for pilot and one passengerHand levers replace hip cradleHand levers replace hip cradleCharles Furnas (mechanic) first passengerCharles Furnas (mechanic) first passengerModel A for ArmyModel A for Army

Crashed 17 Sep 1908Crashed 17 Sep 1908Lt Selfridge first airplane fatalityLt Selfridge first airplane fatalityOrville sustained serious injuryOrville sustained serious injury

European TourEuropean TourEuropean skepticismWilbur Wright toured Europe

Official public demonstrationsCatapulted brothers to world fameEdith Berg, first American woman passengerWon Michelin Cup

2 hours 18 minutes 33 seconds

Trained pilots who purchased airplanes

Military SalesMilitary Sales2 revised Model B’s

Added wheelsMoved elevator from front to rear

Easier to control due to higher speeds

30 HP and top speed of 42 MPH

Model C Triad Scout50 HP and top speed of 48 MPHArmy questioned safety and designEnded use of “pusher” type propellers

Model D Scout50 HP and top speed of 67 MPH

Wright CompanyWright CompanyWilbur - presidentOrville – vice-presidentConstructed factory in Dayton

Production reached 2 airplanes per monthTrained 115 pilots by 1916

Hap Arnold was trained there

Later YearsLater YearsWilbur - died in 1912 (45)

Typhoid

OrvilleSold manufacturing/patent rights in 19151944 – flew on Lockheed Constellation

Howard Hughes pilot“Wingspan was longer than the distance of his first

flight”Died 30 Jan 1948