Which Wright brother flew for 39 minutes on October 5, 1905?

Wilbur Wright flew for 39 minutes on October 5, 1905, in the Wright Flyer III.

The flight took place at Huffman Prairie near Dayton, Ohio, and lasted 39 minutes 23 seconds. Wilbur completed repeated circuits over the field, covering approximately 24 miles. It was the longest and most significant flight of the Wright brothers’ 1905 testing season.

The achievement showed that their aircraft could be controlled for a substantial period rather than merely lifted briefly from the ground. Wilbur used the airplane’s coordinated system of wing-warping, a movable rudder, and a forward elevator to turn and maintain control.

The flight is sometimes overlooked because the brothers’ 1903 flights are more famous. However, the 1905 Flyer III was much more capable, and the October flight helped convince the brothers that they had achieved a practical airplane suitable for demonstration and sale.