The Wright Brothers Build 17 Foot Glider

The Wright Brothers became actively interested in flying in 1895. For the first several years they read everything on flying they could obtain, even though most of what was available was theory. In August 1899, they built a two-wing kite of 5 ft. span to test their idea fact.

In of warping wings for lateral control. Based on the success of this kite, they built a glider of 17 ft. span in September 1900, which they tested at Kitty hawk, North Carolina. Although it was usually flown as a kite, several piloted free glides were made. However, it was not completely satisfactory because it often flew poorly and was difficult to control in a gusty wind.