How long did it take to build the first airplane?

Answer 1

There is some dispute over who actually made the first flight. The world's first powered flight of a heavier-than-air aircraft is credited to the Wright brothers in Ohio, USA, on 17 December 1903. Their flight lasted 12 seconds, and continued for 120 feet. There are claims, however, that the world's first such flight was undertaken by twenty-five year old New Zealander, Richard Pearse, on 31 March 1902 (some sources quote 1903). Pearse's initial flight was an estimated distance of 300m and ended when the flying machine landed in a hedge some 4 metres off the ground. As Pearse did not realise the historical value of his flight, he did not arrange for any photographs to be taken of his flight, and evidence that it occurred has only been provided through the reports of eye witnesses.

Answer 2

The development of the airplane was gradual. Many sources credit the Wright Brothers (Wilbur and Orville) with this invention, and they worked on it in stages. Their first efforts were around 1899, and by 1903, their airplane made its first successful flight. So, the first stage took four years, but to perfect it and make it safe and get it to where it could carry passengers took until about 1909-1910.

Answer 3

That depends a bit on how you define "aircraft" and how long the flight has to last to count. The Wright brothers had a 3 second attempt to fly their powered aircraft which may not have actually gotten airborne on December 14, 1903. Their official first powered, manned flight at 10:35 am on December 17, 1903 covered 120 feet (37 m) at a speed of about 6.8 miles per hour (10.9 km/h) and lasted 12 seconds. This is usually considered the first flight of an aircraft.

Other possible claims include:

• Numerous un-powered gliders starting in the 1700's - length uncertain
• Unmanned flights of powered model aircraft conducted by Samuel Langley. In 1896 he managed a powered flight of about a minute and a half for one of his craft after launching it from a spring-actuated catapult mounted on top of a houseboat on the Potomac River.
• Gustave Weißkopf (later changed his last name to Whitehead) claimed some flights in 1901 and 1902 including one over a 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) circle, which may be true but are not universally accepted. Lengths of time for the claimed flights are not recorded.

Answer 4

12 seconds. It flew120 feet.

Answer 5

Around 3 months

Answer 6

Kitty Hawk, NC and i think for 8 sec

Answer 7

12 seconds.