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FIRST TO FLY? 

8/31/2014

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Guest blogger “First to Fly” by D.L. Ferguson author of “Randolph the Six Gun Cowboy” published in 1995 & “The Proud Leyte” published in 1997.

FIRST TO FLY? 
08/31/2014

I’m tired of the radio and television statements that the Wright Brothers were not the first to fly. That is a true statement; the Wright Brothers were not the first to fly. Here is where they were first: The Wright Brothers were the FIRST to build a wind tunnel and test various lifting devises and establish a true set of lift tables that could be used to design wings to carry two people; Using these tables they created many gliders and flew them more than a hundred times to perfect their control systems; the Wright Brothers were the FIRST to learn how to warp the wings to mimic the warping of bird wings; the Wright Brothers were the FIRST to create a catapult to thrust their flying machines into the air; the Wright Brothers were the FIRST to realize that the propeller needed to produce lift (thrust) like a wing, and they created their own propellers with a twist to develop thrust; and Orville Wright perfected several of the FIRST hydro-planes and flew them in and out of the Miami River in the Dayton area. They certainly taught the world how to fly and established several flying schools around the United States. 

So, who was the first to fly? One of the myths of the Greeks was Daedalus and his son Icarus who escaped from prison with wings of feathers and wax. Icarus flew too high; the sun melted the wax, and he fell to his death. (We know now that the higher you fly, the colder it gets). Leonardo da Vinci dreamed of flying and left many sketches of a flying machine with wings like a bird and muscle power was used to flap the wings. (So much for dreams.) In the 11th century, an English Monk covered his arms and legs with chicken and duck feathers; jumped from a tower and broke both legs. He never tried to fly again. Through the ages, there have been many attempts to fly and some have flown for a few feet; some have flown further; but none had the proper controls to actually fly. In 1783, two brothers, Jacques and Joseph Montgolfier, were the first human beings to sail aloft over the skies of Paris. (They were at the mercy of the wind.) Samuel P. Langley built a large steam powered flying machine and in 1903, a pilot tried twice to fly it and both times it crashed into the water. However, in 1903, at Kitty Hawk, N.C., the Wright Brothers flew four times and the last flight was in the air for more than 800 feet. 

The Wright Brothers created, built, and perfected over 20 different flying machines, four hydro-planes, and became famous flying their machines around the world. They were the FIRST to teach the world to fly! (By D.L. Ferguson)


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Welcome to Wright Seaplane Base, Inc.

6/1/2014

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Hello!

And welcome to Wright Seaplane Base, Inc!

Wright Seaplane Base, Inc. is dedicated to all things of flight; but close to our hearts is the history and preservation of the Wright Model “G” Areoboat.

“Wright Model “G” Areoboat?”. . . Most people have never even heard of the Wright Brothers’, “Wright Model G Areoboat!

You ask, what can I possibly say about the Wright brothers that has not already been said in books, newspapers, magazines, television, and other publications? Well, there is one important piece of history about the Wright Brothers that has been lost in time. Wilbur died in 1912, but Orville and company continued to test several versions of a Wright Flyer, to include a predecessor to the seaplane. Adding pontoons to several versions of the Wright “B” Flyer and then creating an entirely new plane with a boat like hull. The Model “G” Areoboat became their most successful seaplane.

Orville flew the seaplanes in and out of the Miami River between Moraine and West Carrollton, Ohio over a 100 times in 1913 and 1914. On one flight, the Model “G” carried a pilot and 3 passengers.

Wright Seaplane Base, Inc. is dedicated to recovering this lost piece of aviation history. It is the desire of the Historical Aviation organization to build a full-scale sculpture of the Model “G” Areoboat lifting off from the Miami river for all to see, visit, and touch.

What to expect in future blogs from Wright Seaplane Base, Inc
.?

· 
Wright Seaplane Base, Inc. will periodically share stories and events related to the Wright brothers’ and general aviation themed topics.

· We will also incorporate informational or lighthearted aviation themed videos.

· Lastly, we would love to hear from you! Your questions, thoughts, feedback or anything you would like to share relevant to aviation and/or the Wright Brothers.

Thank you for checking us out. Please feel free to leave your questions and/or comments, we look forward to hearing from you. 

Wright Seaplane Base, Inc. also invites you to follow us on Twitter @WrightSeaplane and "Like" us on Facebook, Wright Seaplane Base, Inc.

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