The Wright brothers’ first public flight demonstrations in the United States in 1908 took place at Fort Myer, Virginia.
The U.S. Army invited the brothers to demonstrate an aircraft for a possible military contract. Orville Wright conducted the Fort Myer trials in September 1908 using a modified two-seat Wright Military Flyer. The aircraft had to meet requirements for carrying a pilot and passenger, maintaining speed, and remaining airborne for a specified period.
The demonstrations attracted military officials, reporters, and spectators. On September 9, Orville completed a flight lasting 57 minutes and 31 seconds, setting a new record for sustained flight at the time. The trials ended tragically on September 17, when a propeller broke during a flight, causing a crash that killed passenger Lieutenant Thomas Selfridge and seriously injured Orville.
Fort Myer is distinct from Huffman Prairie, where the brothers conducted important private development flights near Dayton. It is also separate from their 1908 European demonstrations, especially Wilbur’s flights at Le Mans, France.