About This File
X-Plane 11.50+ Wright Flyer 1.2.0. The Wright Flyer made the first sustained flight by a manned heavier-than-air powered and controlled aircraft on 17 December 1903. Invented and flown by Orville and Wilbur Wright, it marked the beginning of the pioneer era of aviation. This model uses the Chanute 7 model as a starting point, with subsequent mods by Ray Hill. The Plane Maker model has been overhauled, with drag added to simulate the pilot and engine, plus matching the suggested drag values for the miscellaneous bodies and changes to accurately model the front elevators. It now only has one engine but retains the two props! A 3D model downloaded from the Smithsonian was added, along with sounds from recordings of a replica Wright 1903 engine. There is more work to do - mainly better animation of all the moving parts - currently only elevators and rudder are animated. Retexturing would do justice to what is a very fine 3D model. Hopefully, others can take up the baton and refine it further. The .ac 3D files are included. Version 1.2.0: Aircraft now has skids, plus launch is by winch. Set full power and release brakes to start launch - as soon as the aircraft moves, release the winch. You're just using the winch to get a bit of speed (20 knots or so). Too much speed and you're going to be in trouble. By Dan Hopgood.