THE WRIGHT BROTHERS
Centennial of Flight

"Testing the Wright Flyer gives us a chance to relive history,"
said Craig Hange, Ames' wind tunnel test engineer. "By understanding the flying characteristics of the Wright Flyer, we gain a better
understanding of the Wright brothers' science and engineering skills, as well as an appreciation of the process that led to the development of the airplanes we fly today."

NASA Ames
Wright Flyer Replica Testing

In March of 1999, a full-scale replica of the 1903 Wright Flyer was mounted in NASA Ames Research Center's 40-foot by 80-foot wind tunnel for tests to build a historically accurate aerodynamic database of the Flyer. For two weeks, project engineers studied the replica's stability, control and handling at speeds up to 27 knots (30 mph) in the wind tunnel. The Wright Flyer replica was constructed by a team of volunteers from the Los Angeles section of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) using plans provided by the Smithsonian. The replica featured a 40-foot-4-inch wingspan reinforced with piano wire, cotton wing coverings, spruce propellers and a double rudder. Although it will replicate the 1903 Wright Flyer in design, size, appearance and aerodynamics, some changes were made to make it stronger for mounting in the wind tunnel.