THE KNOWLEDGE MEDIA INSTITUTE

History of Flight

Key events

Flights of fancy

Models

Aerodynamics

How planes fly

Historical development

Aero-engines

Flyers

Cayley

Lilienthal

Phillips

The Wright Brothers

Santos-Dumont

Cody

Links

About FirstFlight

Accessibility

The Wright Brothers - flight-sim - web version

The 1903 Flyer requires a pilot with very fast reactions, and a computer that can run the simulation fast enough. If the light above the 'height'; axis turns from green to red whilst you are flying it means that you will have to run the simulation at a slower speed - don't worry, most people over 18 won't be able to fly it in 'real-time' anyway!

• Click (anywhere) to start the engine and then click on the control lever to take off.
• After a crash click to rebuild the Flyer and start again.
• The simulation starts in autopilot mode, click to take over control.
• Click again to return to autopilot control - it may not be able top save you!
• If you want help click the 'guidance' box before taking off.
• The direction and length of the arrows indicates which way to push the mouse.
• Click to return to autopilot control.
• Frequent small movements of the canard is the secret to success.


Simulation running at a quarter speed


Half speed with a gusting wind


Full speed i.e. 'real-time'


Full speed with a gusting wind