The US Code states that Wright Brothers Day commemorates the first successful flights in a heavier-than-air, mechanically propelled aeroplane. Orville and Wilbur Wright made that first successful flight on December 17, 1903, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The Wright Flyer managed to stay aloft for 12 seconds, covering a distance of 120 feet. Wilbur followed with additional flights, with the longest lasting 59 seconds and travelling 852 feet.
Orville and Wilbur invented the first mechanically propelled aeroplane after examining the work of previous pioneers and conducting numerous experiments to perfect their aircraft. They are considered to be the first to invent aircraft controls that made fixed-wing flight possible.
The brothers first conducted experiments with kites before testing with gliders.
In 1903, the brothers constructed an aeroplane called the Wright Flyer I, which had wooden propellers they designed and carved themselves. The aircraft also comprised a petrol engine.
Physics played a crucial role in how the Wright brothers invented the first successful powered aeroplane. Their achievement was the result of carefully applying physical principles, testing them, and correcting earlier scientific errors.
They applied Bernoulli’s principle, where faster airflow over the curved top of the wing creates lower pressure. They built a wind tunnel to gather accurate measurements, which enabled them to design wings with the right camber and surface area. They treated flight as a balance of four forces, namely lift, weight, thrust, and drag. Using Newton’s laws of motion, they ensured that thrust from the propellers exceeded drag and that lift exceeded weight at take-off. Their biggest breakthrough was control, as they invented wing-warping, twisting the wings to control roll. They applied the principles of torque and angular momentum, and later added a movable rudder to coordinate turns. They used fluid dynamics to design efficient propellers and convert engine power into forward thrust with minimal energy loss. Instead of relying on theory alone, they used systematic experimentation, adjusted designs based on data, and measured forces, angles, and air pressure.
Official observances for this day comprise the annual Wright Brothers Dinner in Washington, DC, where the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy is awarded. Celebrations are also held in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, where the Wright Flyer made its maiden flight, as well as in Dayton, Ohio, the hometown of the Wright brothers. Other events include luncheons in honour of the Wright brothers, school activities related to aviation, and field trips to aviation museums or airports. The day serves as a time to reflect on aviation’s impact, inspire the next generation, and honour the Wright brothers’ legacy by supporting efforts like Friends of Albert Whitted Airport (FOAWA) to educate and engage future aviators.
