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To: PilotDave

Of course, it was the consistent wind on the Outer Banks that brought them to Kitty Hawk...to augment lift.

See my earlier post. I think you’d like that book if you haven’t already read it.


27 posted on 10/15/2012 11:27:40 AM PDT by Lee'sGhost (Johnny Rico picked the wrong girl!)
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To: Lee'sGhost

Yes, that’s a great book. I’ve also visited Kitty Hawk many times and was in the Air and Space museum just last week. I often wish the Wrights had kept on inventing and innovating in aviation. After getting as far as they did they seemed to spend the latter parts of their lives fighting in court over patent infringements and royalties. A shame really.


30 posted on 10/15/2012 11:36:34 AM PDT by PilotDave (No, really, you just can't make this stuff up!!!)
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To: Lee'sGhost

“consistent wind on the Outer Banks”

And perhaps more importantly were the dunes themselves. Huge consistent sand dunes to launch the gliders from. Not to mention crash on... The Wrights actually flew the 1903 flyer the day before first flight day to get some air time. They launched it from the dune just like they had so many times with their gliders. They stalled it and crashed it that day too. Repaired it and flew it 4 times the next day. Each of the brothers had hundreds of glider flights/hops in prior to the first powered flight. Very very cool to stand on those dunes and in that field and try to put your mind where they were.


31 posted on 10/15/2012 11:43:40 AM PDT by PilotDave (No, really, you just can't make this stuff up!!!)
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