1902 Wright and 1895 Lilienthal glider replicas flying together
Ben Saltzman <<marketing>>
writes:
In December, we had the opportunity to make history by flying the
1902 Wright glider and 1895 Liliental glider replicas on the dunes of the Outer
Banks.
Short video: https://youtu.be/lVXdHiA3iUo
Air and Space magazine also ran a story about the event, which is here: https://www.airspacemag.com/daily-planet/more-century-later-lilienthal-and-wright-gliders-fly-together-first-time-kitty-hawk-180973882/
Over 4,000 miles and seven years separated the flights of Otto Lilienthal and
the Wright brothers. Although the Orville and Wilbur Wright were strongly
influenced by Lilienthals designs, the men and their aircraft have never been
in the same place - until now.
Markus Raffel, Department Head of Helicopters for the Institute of Aerodynamics
and Flow Technology at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Göttingen, journeyed across
the Atlantic Ocean with his replica of Lilienthals 1895 biplane glider
to Jockeys Ridge State Park in Nags Head, NC; just 4 miles south of the Wright
Brothers National Memorial. There it came face-to-face with the 1902 Wright
Glider replica owned by Kitty Hawk Kites. On December 14th, Raffel gave a
presentation on Lilienthals designs and research into manned flight as well as
the construction of the replica with historically accurate materials. Paul
Glenshaw, former director of the Discovery of Flight Foundation and writer for
the Air and Space Smithsonian Magazine, also gave a presentation on the 1902
Wright Gliders history, the Wright brothers research, and the replicas
construction and numerous flights at Jockeys Ridge.
Following the presentations, both gliders were brought onto the dunes to take to
the sky. Hang gliding pilot and stuntman, Andy Beem of Windsports in L.A.
piloted the Lilienthal glider alongside Kitty Hawk Kites hang gliding
instructor, Billy Vaughn in the Wright glider. The gliders made 6 concurrent
flights on Saturday afternoon until the wind died down. Sunday, December 15th,
did not have ideal wind conditions in the forecast but around 10:00 AM the wind
picked up and the gliders were carried back to the dunes for another round of
flights. With stronger winds the crews decided to fly the gliders separately and
make history yet again. Hang gliding pilot, Gisele Dierks from Morningside
Flight Park in Charleston, NH was given the reins on the Lilienthal glider and
became the first woman known to fly one of Lilienthals aircraft.
https://OzReport.com/1578491078
|