The Wright Brothers The Wright brothers were near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, eight days before Christmas in1903. Besides the Wrights, four men and a boy are there to witness this demonstration. Yesterday, launching the “aeroplane” off of a steep hill, Wilbur had made an attempt but it barely made it off the ground. Today, they would try to take off from flat ground instead, aiming the plane into the wind. The plane weights about 600 pounds, and its two pairs of wings are about 40 feet across. Orville climbs out on the lower wing and stretches out face down. Wilbur then ties a strap around his brother’s hips so he won’t fall off. Wilbur starts the engine as Orville grips the controls. The plane moves forward, rising ten feet in the air. Orville flies for 12 seconds, covering 120 feet. The brothers take turns flying a few more times that day. The longest flight is 852 feet in 59 seconds. A strong wind finally tips the plane over and damages it so that it needs major repairs. Soon, though, the Wrights plan to repeat the experiment. 1. From where were they able to get the plane off the ground?

The Wright Brothers The Wright brothers were near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, eight days before Christmas in1903. Besides the Wrights, four men and a boy are there to witness this demonstration. Yesterday, launching the “aeroplane” off of a steep hill, Wilbur had made an attempt but it barely made it off the ground. Today, they would try to take off from flat ground instead, aiming the plane into the wind. The plane weights about 600 pounds, and its two pairs of wings are about 40 feet across. Orville climbs out on the lower wing and stretches out face down. Wilbur then ties a strap around his brother’s hips so he won’t fall off. Wilbur starts the engine as Orville grips the controls. The plane moves forward, rising ten feet in the air. Orville flies for 12 seconds, covering 120 feet. The brothers take turns flying a few more times that day. The longest flight is 852 feet in 59 seconds. A strong wind finally tips the plane over and damages it so that it needs major repairs. Soon, though, the Wrights plan to repeat the experiment. 2. Why might Orville have to ride face down to fly the plane?

The Wright Brothers The Wright brothers were near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, eight days before Christmas in1903. Besides the Wrights, four men and a boy are there to witness this demonstration. Yesterday, launching the “aeroplane” off of a steep hill, Wilbur had made an attempt but it barely made it off the ground. Today, they would try to take off from flat ground instead, aiming the plane into the wind. The plane weights about 600 pounds, and its two pairs of wings are about 40 feet across. Orville climbs out on the lower wing and stretches out face down. Wilbur then ties a strap around his brother’s hips so he won’t fall off. Wilbur starts the engine as Orville grips the controls. The plane moves forward, rising ten feet in the air. Orville flies for 12 seconds, covering 120 feet. The brothers take turns flying a few more times that day. The longest flight is 852 feet in 59 seconds. A strong wind finally tips the plane over and damages it so that it needs major repairs. Soon, though, the Wrights plan to repeat the experiment. 3. Why was this experiment important?