Megan, thank you for posting those videos. The impression I get is that it would take a lot of dedication and just the right conditions to replicate the 1903 flight for the following reasons:
- The Wright brothers had been flying their gliders for four years and were ready for the lack of pitch stability by the time they flew the powered machine.
- With the wind at Kill Devil Hill the Flyer was already flying (supported by the air) before it started moving on its rail, so acceleration to flying speed was not necessary for lift or control, only positive pitch on the canard.
- The gusty conditions permitted maximum use to be made of the gusts and wind gradient, so adding energy to the aircraft (as dynamic soaring does).
Carrol F Grey considers that the first true flight was the fifth attempt on 17 December 1903, and I am inclined to agree with him. The rest were little more than wind gradient assisted pitch up and glides with the power doing little more than preventing the Flyer being blown backwards. The 59 second flight was the only one of sufficient duration to exceed the benefits of the wind assisted start.
The FIVE FIRST FLIGHTS