Wright Flyer

Orville and Wilbur Wright became the first to fly a powered controlled aircraft on December 17, 1903 at Kill Devil Hills, on the Outer Banks of NC.  Known for their consistent and scientific approach toward conquering flight, the two met their eventual success by building, testing and developing a series of gliders, performing wind tunnel testing and utilizing research from previous aerial experimenters. 

This remarkable machine reflects years of scientific achievement and aviation ‘firsts” including:
• The development of a suitable lift-generating airfoil 
• The discovery and control of the three axes of flight (yaw, roll and pitch)
• The development of a light weight, 4-cylinder engine and transmission to drive two propellers.
• The design and creation of thrust-generating pusher propellers

This full-scale reproduction of the Wright Flyer (also known as the Kittyhawk) was built by Howard Kelem and the August Martin High School class of Jamaica, Queens, NY. It was displayed at Kennedy Airport’s main terminal and later at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. Thanks to the efforts of Peter Truesdell of the Cradle of Aviation Museum, Howard Kelem, Jimmy Russell, Sal Calvagna and the Long Island Aero Radio Society, this reproduction of the famous 1903 Wright Flyer is on exhibit at Old Rhinebeck.

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