X
•Our 2023 Season: •Air Shows Jun 17-Oct 15, •Museum May 1- Oct 31, •Biplane Rides TBA. •The High Flyers Gala is May 20-Get Your Tickets Early •The Latest News on Aero-Log •Help Us Acquire a Rare Engine
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to footer
  • About Us
  • The Collection
  • Contact Us
  • Work At Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome
Old Rhinebeck Aerorome Logo

Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome

We’re Living History and Family Fun

  • Gala
  • Air Shows
  • Museum
  • Biplane Rides
  • Air Show & Museum Tickets
  • Plan Your Visit
  • Events
  • Shop
  • Donate

Wright Glider

Back to 1896-1913 - Pioneer Era

photo of a 1902 Wright Glider on display in our museum

Wright Glider

  • : United States
  • : 1902
  • 32 ' 1"
  • 250 lbs (113 kg)

  • : Static Exhibit
  • 16 ' 1"
  • : Reproduction

In 1896 Orville and Wilbur Wright started to pursue their dream of powered, controlled flight. The brothers took a scientific approach, utilizing the accumulated knowledge of flight from their predecessors and contemporaries, and through developing scientific experiments of their own. They built a series of gliders to test new ideas on, the 1902 glider was used to perfect the control system that they developed. The controls included a rudder to keep the aircraft headed in a straight line, wing-warping to bank the wings, and a forward elevator to change the pitch of the aircraft.

The Wrights set unofficial world records for the largest glider ever built, the longest time in the air and for gliding at the lowest angle of descent to date with this aircraft. Their longest flight with it was 622’-6″ and the flight lasted 26 seconds. The success of this glider led them to develop the 1903 Wright Flyer that became the first aircraft to achieve powered, controlled sustained flight on December 17, 1903, and their dream was realized.

Cole Palen purchased this replica at auction in 1981.


Click for more information about the Wright Glider


Subscribe to our mailing list

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Things to do

  • Gala
  • Air Shows
  • Museum
  • Biplane Rides
  • Air Show & Museum Tickets
  • Plan Your Visit
  • Events
  • Shop
  • Donate

Get involved

  • Donate
  • Education
  • Work At Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome
  • Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Facebook Fans
  • Volunteer at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome
  • Donating an Item
  • Our Generous Sponsors
  • WWI Aero Publications

About Us

  • Aero-Log
  • The Collection
  • About Cole and Rita Palen
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • About the Website

Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Copyright © 2023
9 Norton Rd., Red Hook, NY 12571 (Driving Address)
PO Box 229, Rhinebeck, NY 12572 (Mailing Address)
Telephone: (845)752-3200
Fax: 845-758-6481
info@oldrhinebeck.org