The Wright's unique achievement

Photo

The famous photo of the Wright brothers' first powered flight on Dec. 17, 1903 was released on May 20, 1908. It was taken near the shortest day of the year in a blustery wind (27mph), i.e. in challenging lighting and flying conditions. A local lifeguard took the well-focused snapshot. The camera, tripod and glass plate negatives were carried through the sand dunes to the site, 3 miles from the nearest drop point. The location was described as a mosquito-infested. Puddles there had frozen overnight.

Flight

The flight occurred in ground effect (where a type of compressed air cushion between the wing and the ground provides added lift). It ended in a crash. The plane was launched from a rail on a sloping sand dune. The flight's trajectory continued downward along the slope.

The Wright's achievement was truly unique. Leading, modern aerodynamicists and engineers have tried - unsuccessfully - to replicate the feat using the same 11hp aircraft with 10° dihedral (wing droop) and an engine weighing 18lb. per hp.