Early Fixed-Winged Aviation

Samuel Langley Catapults Model

May 6, 1896

Samuel Langley catapulted a model aircraft, the Aerodrome, 3,300 feet along Potomac River in Quantico, Virgina, revealing potential for heavier-than-air flight. "Chronicle of Aviation." Alibris Marketplace. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013.

Wright Brothers Fly Thethered Glider

Dec 1, 1900

Bicycle-makers Wilbur and Orville Wright fly a thethered glider over the sand dunes of South Carolina, though it did not generate the amount of lift Wilbur anticipated. "Chronicle of Aviation." Alibris Marketplace. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013.

Wright Brother Flies Atop a New Glider

Sep 1, 1901

Wilbur Wright flies atop a new glider over the sand dunes of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, though laterally steering the glider proved to be difficult. "Chronicle of Aviation." Alibris Marketplace. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013.

Samuel Langley's Model Crashes

Oct 7, 1903

Samuel Langley's aircraft, the Aerodrome, crashes into the Potomac River after a catapult malfunction. "Chronicle of Aviation." Alibris Marketplace. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013.

Wright Brothers Succeed With First Manned, Powered Flight

Dec 17, 1903

The Wright bothers succeed with the first ever manned, powered flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Wilbur Wright flew a distance of 852 feet for a total of 59 seconds on the fourth flight of the day; the aircraft was damaged by winds before a fifth flight could be made. "Chronicle of Aviation." Alibris Marketplace. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013.
"Chronicle of Aviation." Alibris Marketplace. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013.

Pilot Falls to His Death

Jul 18, 1904

In an experiment that involved launching a glider form a hot-air balloon, pilot Daniel Maloney falls 2000 feet to his death after the the tail of the glider was damaged by a rope thethering it to the balloon in San jose, California. "Chronicle of Aviation." Alibris Marketplace. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013.

Wilbur Wright Flies in Circle

Sep 20, 1904

Wilbur Wright flies in complete circle over the sand dunes near Simms Station, Ohio, revealing an improvement in steering and maneuverability. "Chronicle of Aviation." Alibris Marketplace. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013.

Wilbur Wright Flies for 38 Minutes

Oct 5, 1905

Wilbur Wright covers a distance of 24 miles and flies for a record 38 minutes showing the aircraft's potential for transportation. "Chronicle of Aviation." Alibris Marketplace. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013.

U.S. Army Entertains Bids

Feb 10, 1908

The United States is entertaining bids for an aircraft that must be able to fly for an hour, carry two men, and travel at a speed og 40mph. The Wright brothers have bid 25,000 dollars, convinced they have the only usable aircraft "Chronicle of Aviation." Alibris Marketplace. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013.