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How far did the very first Wright Flyer flight go on December 17, 1903?

120 feet in 12 seconds, with Orville at the controls.

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  1. 1 mile in 5 minutes
  2. 24 miles in 39 minutes
  3. 120 feet in 12 seconds ✔

Why: Orville flew the first flight near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. It was short, but it was powered, controlled and sustained. The brothers took turns and made four flights that day, the longest 852 feet.

Huh, didn't know that: The highest altitude reached in any of the four flights that day was about 10 feet.

The dad joke
Why was the first flight so short? Orville did not want to miss lunch.
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References

Answer: 120 feet in 12 seconds. Orville flew the first flight near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. It was short, but it was powered, controlled and sustained. The brothers took turns and made four flights that day, the longest 852 feet.

  1. NASA Glenn: History of Flight www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/UEET/StudentSite/historyofflight.html
    The first heavier-than-air flight traveled one hundred twenty feet in twelve seconds.
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  2. CAP Wright Brothers Award page www.gocivilairpatrol.com/programs/cadets/stripes-to-diamonds/wright
    Orville and Wilbur Wright are credited with achieving the first powered, controlled, sustained, heavier-than-air flight, on 17 December 1903.
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  3. NASA: 120 Years Ago, The First Powered Flight at Kitty Hawk www.nasa.gov/history/120-years-ago-the-first-powered-flight-at-kitty-hawk
    The highest altitude reached in any of the flights was about 10 feet.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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