What was the approximate height of Orville Wright’s first flight above the ground?

Orville Wright’s first flight reached an approximate height of 10 feet above the ground.

On December 17, 1903, Orville piloted the Wright Flyer only a few feet above the sandy surface near Kill Devil Hills. The aircraft’s low altitude reflected both caution and the limitations of early flight control. A low flight reduced the danger of a severe fall while the brothers tested their machine.

The first Flyer was unstable by modern standards and required constant pilot input. Orville controlled the elevator while also managing the aircraft’s rolling and directional movements. The brief flight ended after the machine traveled roughly 120 feet.

The height is sometimes rounded differently in historical summaries, but about 10 feet is the standard description. It was not a high-altitude demonstration; it was a controlled proof that powered flight was possible.