3 minute read
My Favorite Thing About...120 Feet: A Bit of Aviation History
By Erin McCleave
Not everyone who loves aviation is equally passionate about history. We aviation enthusiasts are inherently forward-looking, always anticipating the next advancement and adventure. Personally, I find inspiration in history, appreciating how far we’ve come even as we envision the future. One historical tale that has always captivated me is that of the Wright Brothers including one specific aspect that I cherish the most about their story.
My absolute favorite thing about the Wright Brothers is not just their first flight on December 17, 1903, but the fact that it covered a mere 120 feet and lasted only 12 seconds. After four years of meticulous planning, building, and trial-and-error, and three years of preparatory studies, they soared into the air for a mere 120 feet. To put it in perspective, that’s the length of a football field, including the endzones. It’s shorter than the wingspan of a 747, not to even mention an A380. It’s a distance a casual jogger could cover in just 16 seconds. Initially, this might seem disappointing, but wait... it’s the opposite - it’s AMAZING.
Why is a 120-foot flight so incredible? It’s not just because it marked the first powered manned flight in history. To me, the humble distance is what makes it both remarkable and wonderful because shortly after that brief flight, they tried again. And again. The longest flight of that day covered 852 feet in 59 seconds. In between, they tinkered, tweaked, and reconsidered, learning valuable lessons. How to use the controls more effectively, where the configuration could be improved, what aspects of their design needed adjustment, and what they could attempt next.
This relentless pursuit of improvement is in the heart of every scientist, engineer, pilot, and contributor to aviation’s greatest accomplishments. Failure is a part of their journey and they never assume they know everything. They consistently seek opportunities to learn and enhance their skills for the next attempt whether that takes years or just minutes as at Kitty Hawk.
Orville and Wilbur embodied this spirit of aviation. That’s why those humble 120 feet are my favorite part of what they accomplished on that historic day and the impact it had on all of us who followed.
Erin McCleave is the Vice President of Strategy & Transformation for Connected Aviation Solutions at Collins Aerospace. She has worked in the aerospace industry in various capacities, including engineering, general management, business development, and strategy, for over 25 years.
