Wright Brothers' First Powered, Controlled Flight (December 17, 1903)

Wright Brothers' First Powered, Controlled Flight (December 17, 1903) On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright achieved the first powered, controlled, and sustained flight with their Wright Flyer at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The initial flight covered 120 feet in 12 seconds. This monumental achievement demonstrated the principles of controlled flight with a heavier-than-air machine, fundamentally changing the course of human history. It is universally recognized as the true beginning of modern aviation, inspiring countless innovations.