HOW GLIDERS HELPED THE WRIGHT BROTHERS INVENT THE AIRPLANE

Authors

  • Paul Dees Boeing Commercial Airplanes Seattle, WA

Keywords:

Aerodynamics, Structures, Materials, Design

Abstract

Orville and Wilbur Wright integrated and safely flew the first successful, controlled, powered airplane. The process they used was one of progressive design and was successful to a large degree due to their use of gliders. Previous attempts at powered flight were unsuccessful because the inventors tried to fly first with power before the subtleties of control were addressed. The Wrights instead first learned how to fly by using gliders as tools to solve the challenges of adequate control, and then added power to invent the airplane. Their overall approach and configuration optimization (including wing sizing, airfoil development, 3-axis flight controls) are discussed in this paper. Other elements that were required for a successful airplane, such as development of the propulsion system, and have been chronicled elsewhere. Airfoil, drag, and performance analysis using current techniques are presented to illustrate the Wright's contributions to powered flight.

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Issue

Vol. 27 No. 3-4 (2003)

Section

Articles

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