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... hey needed to design a propeller that would supply the thrust. No big deal, right? Wrong! No one had designed a propeller for flight through air. All that there was to go on was marine propellers.
The Brothers did not have the time or money to test many designs. They decided to scrap the theory used for marine propellers, and make up their own. After long discussions they realized that the only way to test the propeller is to try it on the plane. The decided two things about the propeller: first they would use two propellers, this would use more air and create more thrust. Second they would have them spinning in different directions, this would keep the aircraft from banking to one side. They then decided it would be best if they put the engine on one side of the pilot, so in case of a crash the engine would not land on the pilot.
Finally the motor was completed, it would develop sixteen horse power for a few seconds, this number would drop until after one minute it only had twelve horse power. The Brothers were extremely excited about having this much power. They left Dayton on September 23 and arrived at Kitty Hawk on The 25 th. While they were waiting for the machinery to arrive they reconstructed their workshop that had blown away several months before.
On low wind days the Brothers gained experience by gliding in their 1902 machine they had left there the year before. Every time the machine was ready to be tested bad weather would come. Then they would find another problem with the plane. I think that the bad weather saved their lives more than once. Finally on Monday, December 14 th They decided to try the first flight. However the wind was not strong enough to get the plane off the ground.
They laid the starting track on the side of Kill Devil Hill at a nine degree angle, hoping this would add enough speed to make up for little winds. The Brothers notified the Kill Devil Hill Rescue squad that they would be trying this first flight. They were soon Joined by J. T. Daniels, Robert Westcott, Thomas Beach, W. S.
Dough, and Ben O'Neal of the rescue squad. The aircraft was fastened to the track with a metal wire so it would not move without the operator pulling the start handle. Next the motor was tested to make sure there were going to be no problems. Finally the Brothers had a coin toss to see who would be the history making pilot. Wilbur won. Orville held one wing up to keep the aircraft steady on the track.
However once the retaining wire was released he could only keep up a couple of feet. After about a forty foot run the craft lifted into the air. Wilbur pulled too hard and the plane went to steep into the air. It stalled and crashed near the bottom of the hill. Neither the plane or Wilbur were hurt seriously. Wright Flyer after its first 3 1 / 2 second flight.
After two days of repairs the Wright Flyer was ready to hit the skies again. On December 17, 1903 the Brothers were ready to attempt a second flight. They hung out a signal telling the men at the rescue squad that they were about to try again. The wind was blowing about 22 - 27 miles per hour. The Wrights decided that there was enough wind to take off from level ground.
They realized the problems associated with flying in such a high wind, but knew that the landing would be much slower. They decided to go for it. Once everyone arrived, including a curious boy from the surrounding town, they made their final preparations. Imagine, if you will, preparing to make the second flight in history in a 27 mile per hour wind. Even after all the research collected in collected in the last 90 years I would not want to make one of my first flights in 25 mile pre hour winds.
The Wrights were either very brave or very foolish, you decide. For the next attempt the pilot would be Orville. Wilbur had his turn three days before. After running the engine a few minutes to warm it up Orville pulled the switch. With such strong head winds the plane started very slowly and Wilbur was able to keep up with it until it lifted off the track. One of the life saving men snapped a picture documenting the first powered flight in history!
The first manned flight in history: December 17, 1903. At 10. 35 a. m. Orville Wright takes off into 27 mile per hour winds and flew 120 feet. Time aloft was 12 seconds. The picture was taken by John T.
Daniels, it was the first picture he had ever taken and it is in almost every school history book world wide. When the plane was carried back to the track they attempted the next flight, it was very similar to the first. Twenty minutes later the third flight took place. After taking off a gust of wind flipped the plane to the right at a very sharp bank. Orville warped the wings and regained level flight. This attempt lasted 15 seconds and covered 200 feet.
Wilbur started the fourth and last flight at 12: 00 p. m. It covered 852 feet and lasted 59 seconds. When it crashed the frame was damaged but could be repaired. While everyone was talking about the flights, a sudden gust of wind hit the plane. Wilbur grabbed the front and John Daniels and Orville grabbed the back.
Orville and Wilbur realized that it was out of control and let go, but John Daniels held on. The plane turned end over end John was stuck between the engine and the vertical supports. He was stuck in the airplane. Finally it came to a stop about 100 feet away, the plane was severely damaged, John had some bruises and broken ribs but was fine otherwise. Later that week he told the newspaper that he piloted the fifth flight. How would your life be different if the Wright Brothers were not so persistent?
How would the would be different? Planes are a huge part of our lives. Our mail is delivered quicker because of them, our country is safer because of them. We can cross the ocean in less than a month because of them. We can get where we need to go in a hurry because of them. Bibliography: none
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