Wright Model A
Wright Company · United States · first flew 1908 · light aircraft
The Wright Model A was the first production aircraft built by the Wright brothers and the first heavier-than-air flying machine purchased by any government, demonstrating practical controlled flight for military observers.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.35 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | No tailplane |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Forward canard elevator ahead of the main biplane wings
- Chain-driven twin pusher propellers from a single engine
- No rear tail — canard configuration with elevator forward
Immediately recognisable by its canard layout with the horizontal elevator mounted ahead of the wings, twin pusher propellers driven by chain from a central engine, and open hip-cradle pilot controls.
Specifications
- The Wright Model A has a length of 9.35 m (31 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.1 m (36 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 68 km/h (42 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 (side by side).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed from the 1905 Flyer III, the Model A was demonstrated in France and the United States in 1908, setting endurance and distance records that electrified the world. The U.S. Army Signal Corps purchased one example that year, making it the world's first military aircraft.
Variants
The Military Flyer was a slightly modified Model A built to Army specifications; European variants were built under licence in France.
Where you'll see it
Used primarily for demonstration and pilot training, the Model A helped establish the first military aviation schools in the United States and France.
Related aircraft
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