The Wright brothers’ 1903 Flyer traveled 852 feet on its longest flight on December 17, 1903.
Orville Wright piloted the fourth and final flight of the day at Kill Devil Hills, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The flight lasted 59 seconds and covered substantially more ground than the first three attempts.
The Flyer had already completed three flights that morning. Wilbur’s first flight covered 105 feet, Orville’s first flight covered 120 feet, and the third flight covered 200 feet. Strong winds damaged the aircraft after the fourth flight, ending the day’s tests.
The 852-foot distance is sometimes confused with the flight’s duration, which was 59 seconds. The aircraft’s total distance and its time aloft are separate records from the same final 1903 flight.