Aircraft structures in the century ahead: From arts to science, from craftsmanship to multidisciplinary design and engineering

Abstract

The first centennial of man's first powered flight, which was performed by Wilbur (1867–1912) and Orville (1871–1948) Wright (Fig. 1) will be celebrated in 2003. These brothers' unique and trendsetting enterprise, their skills to develop, build and commercialise controllable and load-carrying flying machines, formed the first example of a private interdisciplinary aerospace development and design initiative. It was at the same time a rare example of entrepreneurial engineering. Their work involved wind-tunnel testing of lifting devices and full-scale tests of major structural components. Equally if not more importantly they developed an essential propulsion system consisting of a lightweight 36hp engine with four cylinders in line and a fuel injected carburettor. This engine propelled two pusher propellers through a drive system of chains. Moreover they developed the systems to control their flight. The twistable wing tips that control rolling and heading during the flight were the last remains of the former trend to mimic bird flight.