| The major details that made the Wright Flyer practical were associated with the
canards. It took almost a hundred years before aeronautical engineers realized
these secrets of the Wright Flyer. The Flyer had canards (a later term from the
French for duck) that stalled prior to the main wings. This caused the Flyer to
dive forward, correcting the stall. Also the canards provided lift, where rear
aerolons push the tail of the aircraft down. A huge advantage if you care about
getting an airplane with a marginal engine airborne. Canards also make aircraft
more efficient, which is why many modern aircraft have canards.
The other
Wright innovation was realizing (from studying birds) that turning and level
flight did not go together. Today we take it for granted that you tilt the
airframe into a turn, and use the rudder only for fine
adjustments.
Disclaimer: The Wright Brothers taught my grandfather
how to fly, so I may be biased. ;-) Incidentally AFAIK, the best Wright Flyer
on display is in the Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace at Le Bourget in Paris. Of
course, it is not too well labelled, but that is just the French being the
French... [ Reply to This | Parent | # ]
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