Which brother piloted the Wright brothers’ first powered flight on December 17, 1903?

Orville Wright piloted the Wright brothers’ first powered flight on December 17, 1903.

The flight took place at Kill Devil Hills, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Orville lay face down on the lower wing of the Wright Flyer and operated the controls while Wilbur ran alongside the machine during its launch.

The flight lasted 12 seconds and covered 120 feet. Four powered flights were made that day, with Wilbur piloting the longest, which traveled 852 feet in 59 seconds. Orville’s first flight was therefore the historic beginning, not the longest flight of the day.

A common mix-up is assuming Wilbur made the first flight because he was slightly older and often served as the brothers’ lead public representative. In reality, Orville won the coin toss for the first official attempt on December 14, but that earlier attempt failed before the successful flights three days later.