"120-foot journey to immortality"

[Mike]

120-foot journey to immortality
Life: Wilbur and Orville Wright weren't born with wings, but that
didn't stop them from flying. Almost 100 years ago, the duo
accomplished what had seemed impossible: They solved the problem of
human mechanical flight.
at http://www.washtimes.com/metro/20031029-093416-7221r.htm

[Terry Simpson]

Mike wrote:
>"Wilbur and Orville Wright ... solved the problem of
>human mechanical flight."

Not quite. Human mechanical flight had already been achieved. The Wright
brothers are atttributed with the first *powered* flight.

[Steve Hix]

In article >,
"Terry Simpson" > wrote:

> Mike wrote:
> >"Wilbur and Orville Wright ... solved the problem of
> >human mechanical flight."
>
> Not quite. Human mechanical flight had already been achieved. The Wright
> brothers are atttributed with the first *powered* flight.

First powered *controlled* flight?

[Mary Shafer]

On Thu, 30 Oct 2003 19:43:23 -0800, Steve Hix
> wrote:

> In article >,
> "Terry Simpson" > wrote:
>
> > Mike wrote:
> > >"Wilbur and Orville Wright ... solved the problem of
> > >human mechanical flight."
> >
> > Not quite. Human mechanical flight had already been achieved. The Wright
> > brothers are atttributed with the first *powered* flight.
>
> First powered *controlled* flight?

First heavier-than-air, powered, controlled, maneuvering flight in
which the vehicle landed at an altitude approximately that at which it
took off, actually.

Mary

--
Mary Shafer Retired aerospace research engineer

[Steve Hix]

In article >,
Mary Shafer > wrote:

> On Thu, 30 Oct 2003 19:43:23 -0800, Steve Hix
> > wrote:
>
> > In article >,
> > "Terry Simpson" > wrote:
> >
> > > Mike wrote:
> > > >"Wilbur and Orville Wright ... solved the problem of
> > > >human mechanical flight."
> > >
> > > Not quite. Human mechanical flight had already been achieved. The Wright
> > > brothers are atttributed with the first *powered* flight.
> >
> > First powered *controlled* flight?
>
> First heavier-than-air, powered, controlled, maneuvering flight in
> which the vehicle landed at an altitude approximately that at which it
> took off, actually.

Umm...I thought we were building up *slowly* to the denoument.

[Phil Budne]

In article >,
Mary Shafer > wrote:
>First heavier-than-air, powered, controlled, maneuvering flight in
>which the vehicle landed at an altitude approximately that at which it
>took off, actually.

Each time I see the list of qualifiers on the Wright Brothers flight,
I want to find the list of previous "flights"

Did someone make a heavier-than-air, powered, uncontrolled level flight?
A heavier-than-air, powered, controlled, non-maneuvering level flight?
A heavier-than-air, powered, controlled, maneuvering, downhill flight?

Can any reccomend a good web page or book?

just curious

[Keith Willshaw]

"Phil Budne" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> Mary Shafer > wrote:
> >First heavier-than-air, powered, controlled, maneuvering flight in
> >which the vehicle landed at an altitude approximately that at which it
> >took off, actually.
>
> Each time I see the list of qualifiers on the Wright Brothers flight,
> I want to find the list of previous "flights"
>
> Did someone make a heavier-than-air, powered, uncontrolled level flight?

Yes - Clement Ader in France

> A heavier-than-air, powered, controlled, non-maneuvering level flight?

Yes - Clement Ader again

> A heavier-than-air, powered, controlled, maneuvering, downhill flight?
>

Sir George Cayley designed several gliders and reportedly at least
one steam powered machine that were flown downhill by his coachman

> Can any reccomend a good web page or book?
>

Google will get you lots

Keith

[Dave Holford]

Phil Budne wrote:
>
> In article >,
> Mary Shafer > wrote:
> >First heavier-than-air, powered, controlled, maneuvering flight in
> >which the vehicle landed at an altitude approximately that at which it
> >took off, actually.
>
> Each time I see the list of qualifiers on the Wright Brothers flight,
> I want to find the list of previous "flights"
>
> Did someone make a heavier-than-air, powered, uncontrolled level flight?
> A heavier-than-air, powered, controlled, non-maneuvering level flight?
> A heavier-than-air, powered, controlled, maneuvering, downhill flight?
>
> Can any reccomend a good web page or book?
>
> just curious


Google search "John Stringfellow"
Powered heavier-than-air model in 1848, but didn't have the 'control'
requirement figured out. Worked OK in a controlled indoor environment
but he failed to appreciate the need for a vertical stabilizer.

Dave

[Tarver Engineering]

"Mary Shafer" > wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 30 Oct 2003 19:43:23 -0800, Steve Hix
> > wrote:
>
> > In article >,
> > "Terry Simpson" > wrote:
> >
> > > Mike wrote:
> > > >"Wilbur and Orville Wright ... solved the problem of
> > > >human mechanical flight."
> > >
> > > Not quite. Human mechanical flight had already been achieved. The
Wright
> > > brothers are atttributed with the first *powered* flight.
> >
> > First powered *controlled* flight?
>
> First heavier-than-air, powered, controlled, maneuvering flight in
> which the vehicle landed at an altitude approximately that at which it
> took off, actually.

Were those the rules of the contest?