Posted on 11/26/2003 10:18:52 PM PST by JohnHuang2
Edited on 07/12/2004 4:10:53 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
KILL DEVIL HILLS, N.C. (AP) -- A replica of the 1903 Wright Flyer, being readied for next month's ceremonies celebrating the centennial of flight, crashed during a practice takeoff but had relatively minor damage.
Pilot Terry Queijo, an American Airlines captain, was unhurt in Tuesday's mishap, which was similar to a setback experienced by the Wright brothers 100 years ago and a few days before their successful flight.
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
You should see who is training the pilots.
NORTHROP GRUMMAN SPONSORS
Northrop-Grumman is sponsoring the training of the four pilots chosen to prepare for the historic re-creation of the Wright Brothers flight December 17, 2003. Under the direction of Scott Crossfield, legendary test pilot of the X-15 and other experimental aircraft, the pilot training involves simulator training and actual piloting of an exact reproduction of the '02 Glider, the same plane that Orville and Wilbur Wright used to prepare for their first flight. Northrop-Grumman is a leader in integrated systems; thus their interest in the pilot training program. Its Integrated Systems division is the lead in the development and support of the highly effective B-2 bomber. |
A picture of the "old geezer".
Duh.
Always nice to hear from the "experts" on Free Republic.
So did I. I bet it will come as a suprise to our resident experts that there was actually a competition and selection for the honor of piloting the flyer.
Looks pretty good for her age, huh? :)
I'd let her take me for a ride. ;-)
I saw a documnetary about this project on PBS. The pilots are towing a replica of the 1902 glider behind a car to learn how to contol the replica 1903 flyer. Scott Crossfield now in his eighties the chief test pilot of the X-15 program was the first to fly the towed 1902 glider and is training the pilots who will fly the 1903 flyer, says the 1902 glider is the most unstable aircraft he has ever flown.
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