Wright Flyer II facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wright Flyer II |
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Wilbur Wright flying the Flyer II in circles over Huffman Prairie in November 1904.
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| General information | |
| Type | Experimental airplane |
| National origin | United States |
| Designer | |
| Status | Disassembled and parts reused |
| Number built | 1 |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1904 |
| First flight | May 26, 1904 |
| Retired | December 1904 |
| Developed from | Wright Flyer |
| Developed into | Wright Flyer III |
The Wright Flyer II was the second powered airplane designed and built by American aviation pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright. Built in 1904, it followed their famous 1903 Wright Flyer, which had made the world's first successful powered flights at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. While the 1903 airplane proved that human flight was possible, the Flyer II helped the brothers learn how to turn, balance, and sustain flight for longer periods.
During testing in 1904, the Wright brothers flew the Flyer II a total of 105 times. The flights took place at Huffman Prairie, a large pasture outside Dayton, Ohio. Over several months of hard work, trials, and crashes, the Wrights solved difficult control problems. On September 20, 1904, Wilbur Wright made the world's first complete circular flight in an airplane. By December, the aircraft could stay in the air for over five minutes at a time.
Contents
History and Background of the Flyer II
From Kitty Hawk to Ohio Pastures
In December 1903, the Wright brothers made history along the sandy dunes of Kill Devil Hills near Kitty Hawk. Their first powered craft flew four times in a straight line. The longest flight covered 852 feet (260 m) in 59 seconds.
After returning home to Dayton, Ohio, the brothers wanted to turn their invention into a practical vehicle. They needed to test an aircraft closer to home. Traveling back to North Carolina was costly, windy, and far from their bicycle workshop tools.
They searched around Dayton and found Huffman Prairie, an 84-acre open meadow owned by banker Torrance Huffman. Huffman gave them permission to use his pasture rent-free. He had only one rule: the brothers had to move the grazing cattle and horses out of harm's way before launching.
Goals for the 1904 Flying Season
The Wright brothers had clear goals when designing their second airplane:
- Build a stronger airframe that could handle frequent landings on rough pasture grass.
- Improve the engine power to fly in lighter inland winds.
- Learn how to steer the airplane in circles rather than only flying straight ahead.
- Fly longer distances and remain airborne for several minutes.
Design Features and Engineering Changes
Wing Design and Aerodynamics
The design of the Flyer II looked very similar to the 1903 machine. It was a biplane with two lifting wings positioned one above the other. However, the Wrights made several important aerodynamic changes.
In 1903, the wing camber (the curve of the wing surface) was 1-in-20. For the Flyer II, the brothers flattened the curve to a ratio of 1-in-25. They hoped this flatter shape would decrease aerodynamic drag (air resistance) and increase speed.
The change in camber reduced drag, but it also reduced wing lift. Because the air at Huffman Prairie was warmer and less dense than the cold ocean air of Kitty Hawk, the airplane had a harder time generating enough lift to stay airborne without strong winds.
Materials and Construction
The Wright brothers made their original 1903 machine out of spruce wood and ash. For the Flyer II, they switched mainly to white pine because it was cheap and readily available locally.
White pine was slightly heavier than spruce. Combined with a larger engine and sturdier fittings, the total weight of the aircraft increased. The empty Flyer II weighed around 925 pounds (420 kg), making it roughly 200 pounds (91 kg) heavier than the 1903 Flyer.
Engine and Propulsion
The aircraft used a custom-built, water-cooled four-cylinder engine designed by the brothers and built with the help of their mechanic, Charlie Taylor.
- The engine produced roughly 15 to 16 horsepower, an upgrade from the 12-horsepower engine used the previous year.
- Two wooden pusher propellers were mounted behind the main wings.
- The propellers were linked to the engine by bicycle chains running through protective guide tubes.
- One chain was crossed over in a figure-eight shape so that the propellers rotated in opposite directions, balancing out rotational force.
Flight Testing at Huffman Prairie
Spring Struggles and Press Demonstrations
In April 1904, the Wrights built a wooden shed at Huffman Prairie to protect their airplane. By late May, they were ready to invite the public and reporters to see a demonstration.
On May 23, about forty people gathered, including local friends, family members, and twelve newspaper reporters. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate. Morning rain kept the machine inside, and when the rain stopped, the wind died down completely. Without a headwind, the airplane could not take off from its 100 feet (30 m) wooden launch rail.
When the brothers attempted a short run, the engine misfired and failed to gain full power. The aircraft slid off the end of the track without lifting off. A few days later, on May 26, they tried again in front of a few reporters. The airplane hopped about 25 feet (7.6 m) before touching down roughly and suffering damage. Disappointed reporters wrote mixed news articles, with some believing the machine was not yet practical.
Solving Pitch and Balance Problems
Throughout June and July 1904, the brothers experienced repeated crashes and difficult handling. The airplane suffered from severe pitch instability (tilting up and down unexpectedly in flight).
To fix this dangerous problem, the brothers tried several mechanical experiments:
- They shifted the pilot and engine locations to adjust the center of gravity.
- They enlarged the front elevator (the small front wing used for climbing and diving).
- They added 70 pounds (32 kg) of iron bars as ballast weight beneath the front elevator to keep the nose steady.
These changes made the aircraft much easier to control in the air. By August, the brothers were completing smooth flights of over a quarter of a mile.
The Launch Catapult Innovation
Because Huffman Prairie often had calm air, taking off along the wooden track was difficult. In September 1904, the Wrights invented a mechanical catapult system to help launch the plane.
The catapult consisted of a wooden derrick tower 16 feet (4.9 m) tall. A heavy weight of 800 pounds (360 kg) (later increased to 1,600 pounds (730 kg)) was hoisted to the top of the tower. When dropped, the falling weight pulled a cable through pulleys attached to the airplane's launch trolley, rapidly pulling the aircraft forward along the rail to flying speed.
Historic Milestones and Turns
With reliable catapult launches, flight testing progressed rapidly:
- September 15, 1904: Wilbur Wright made the first controlled turn in the air.
- September 20, 1904: Wilbur flew the world's first complete circle in an airplane, covering 4,080 feet (1,240 m) in 1 minute and 16 seconds.
- October 14, 1904: Orville completed his first circular flight.
- November 9, 1904: Wilbur flew four full laps around the pasture, staying airborne for over five minutes.
- December 1, 1904: Orville made the longest flight of the year, covering almost three miles in 5 minutes and 8 seconds.
By the end of the 1904 season on December 9, the Wright brothers had logged 105 flights and spent a total of 45 minutes in the air.
Significance and Legacy
Transition to Practical Aviation
While the original 1903 Wright Flyer is celebrated for making the first powered hops, the Flyer II was the true testing platform where real piloting and aerial navigation were learned. At Huffman Prairie, the Wrights transformed their invention from an experimental glider with an engine into a steerable machine.
On January 18, 1905, the brothers wrote a letter to U.S. Congressman Robert M. Nevin. They explained that their five years of aeronautical experiments had succeeded in producing a practical flying machine capable of carrying messages and scouting over long distances.
Retirement and Reuse of Parts
During the winter of 1904–1905, the Wrights took the Flyer II completely apart. They saved the reliable 15-horsepower engine, transmission chains, propeller hardware, and metal fittings.
According to Orville Wright, the worn-out fabric and wooden frame were burned in early 1905. The saved engine and mechanical hardware were installed directly into their next design, the Wright Flyer III, which became the world's first truly practical airplane.
Aircraft Specifications
General characteristics
- Crew: One pilot (flying while lying prone)
- Length: 21 ft 1 in (6.43 m)
- Wingspan: 40 ft 4 in (12.29 m)
- Height: 9 ft 0 in (2.74 m)
- Wing area: 510.0 sq ft (47.38 m2)
- Gross weight: 925 lb (420 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Water-cooled inline 4-cylinder piston engine , 15 hp (11 kW)
- Propellers: 2-bladed Two Wright "Elliptical" contra-rotating wooden pusher propellers
Performance
- Maximum speed: 35 mph (56 km/h; 30 kn)
- Range: 5 mi (4 nmi; 8 km)
- Service ceiling: 20 ft (6.1 m)
See Also
