How did the wright brothers test the aerodynamics of their plane?
Before the Wright brothers made their first flight, they did extensive aerodynamic model testing in a wind tunnel. The brothers started in 1899 by researching the literature on other attempts to fly before their success in 1903.ResearchThey started by getting technical papers to study successes and failures of earlier attempts at successful flight. The Smithsonian supplied technical data, and they corresponded with Octave Chanute to discuss their theories.Aerodynamic TestingThe Wright brothers began to doubt the literature because their models had only one-third of the lift the data predicted. They built a wind tunnel to get new aerodynamic data.The wind tunnelThe brothers built a wind tunnel out of a wooden box, 16-inches square by 6-feet long. They used an old fan and small gasoline engine to supply the wind. After experimenting to get the optimum results, they tested 3- to 9-inch models for aerodynamics, lift and drag. They compiled a chart of new data that varies little from modern
