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Wilbur and Orville Wright: A Chronology

1908 Camp d'Auvours, Le Mans, France
Wright 1907 Machine

Wilbur seeking an enlarged and better flying field moved to Camp d'Auvours, French artillery testing grounds, 11 kilometers east of Le Mans.  The field was one-half kilometer wide and extended for five to six kilometers without obstruction.

DATE FLIGHT PILOT TIME DISTANCE ALTITUDE REMARKS
Aug 21
 
 
 
 
 
 To minimize crowds, only holders of special cards signed by the military commander and Hart O. Berg were permitted to enter grounds. Several German military experts witnessed flights. Following this date further flights were delayed by stormy weather and high winds. To minimize crowds, only holders of special cards signed by the military commander and Hart O. Berg were permitted to enter grounds.  Several German military experts witnessed flights. Following this date further flights were delayed by stormy weather and high winds. 
 
1
WW
1 min. 49-1/5 sec.
2 k. 200 m.
8 m.
 
 
2
WW
2 min. 14 sec.
3-1/2 k.
30 m.
 
Aug 31
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
WW
56 sec.
 
 
 Plane failed to attain altitude and was damaged in landing.
Sep 3
 
 
 
 
 
 A large figure eight completed.
 
1
WW
10 min. 40 sec.
ca. 11 k.
15-20 m.
 Flights were timed officially by Leon Bollee, Paul Jamin., and Baron R. de Sennevoy, all of the Aero-Club de la Sarthe.
 
2
WW
 
300-400 m.
 
 Machine did not rise due to insufficient engine power.
Sep 4
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
2 min. 13 sec.
2.5 k.
5 m.
 Flight witnessed by about 1,000 spectators, including representative of Aero-Club de la Sarthe
Sep 5
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
19 min. 48-2/5 sec.
23-24 k.
15-20 m.
  
 
2
WW
3 min. 21 sec.
3 k.
10 m.
 Plane crash landed but Wilbur suffered only slight injury to one arm.
Sep 10
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
9 min. 10-3/5 sec.
ca. 10-1/2 k.
60-80 ft.
 About 3,000 spectators witnessed flights.
 
2
WW
21 min. 43-2/5 sec.
27-28 k.
100-120 ft.
  
Sep 11
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
2 min. 43 sec.
 
15 m.
 Flight was hampered by fog.
 
2
WW
4 min. 24-3/5 sec.
 
 
  
 
3
WW
4 min. 52-2/5 sec.
 
 
 Flights three and four were terminated because of faulty magneto.
 
4
WW
4 min. 32 sec.
ca. 4 k.
30 ft.
  
Sep 12
 
 
 
 
 
 The flights were witnessed by Lazare Weiller, Rene Quinton, Henri Deutsch de la Meurthe, Henri Farman, Marcel Kapferer, Henry Kapferer, Lucien Beckmann, Paul Tissandier, Paul Zens, Paul Rousseau, Richard Popp, Count Gabriel de Laperouse, Jean Laroche, Mr. Dennery, Baron and Baroness R. de Sennevoy, and many other well known experts in aeronautics.
 
1
WW
4 min. 8-1/5 sec.
700 m.
30 ft.
 
2
WW
6 min. 41-4/5 sec.
1000 m.
10 ft.
Sep 16
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
39 min., 18-2/5 sec.
48 k
12 m.
 Flight broke existing French record.
 
2
WW
2 min. 28-1/5 sec.
2-1/2 k.
40 ft.
 Ernest Zens, French balloonist, passenger.  Spectators included Paul Tissandier, Frank S. Lahm, Leonard Tauber, Paul Zens, Ernest Zens, Mr. Dittenbach, Leon Bollee, Charles H. Botsford of Los Angeles, Count Georges Castillon de Saint-Victor, and French Gen. Arthur Joseph Poline.
Sep 17
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
6 min. 43-2/3 sec.
4,600 yds.
4-5 m.
  
 
2
WW
32 min. 47 sec.
ca. 36 k. 600 m.
25 m.
  
Sep 21
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
1 hr. 31 min. 25-4/5 sec.
66 k. 600 m.
15 m.
 Flight established world duration and distance flying records.  Paul Rousseau was official timekeeper.  American Ambassador Henry White was among those congratulating Wilbur on his achievement.  Spectators included officials of the Aero-club de la Sarthe, Gen. Georges A. Bazaine-Hayter, and a large number of French and foreign officers and airplane enthusiasts.  The crowd was estimated at 10,000.  Flight won Aero-Club de France prize of $1,000.
Sep 22
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
3 min. 3 sec.
 
 
 Flight witnessed by Prof. Percival Lowell, Baron Paul d'Estournelles de Constant, and representatives of the Aero-Club de France.
Sep 24
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
54 min., 3-1/3 sec.
55 k. 24 m.
ca. 80 ft.
 The flight was carried out in an especially strong and gusty wind, preventing Wilbur from attempt to break records established on September 21.
Sep 25
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
36 min. 14-3/5 sec.
 
 
 Spectators included Lazare Weiller, Frank H. Butler of England, Ernest Archdeacon, Leon Delagrange, Louis Dausset, Mrs. Joseph Caillaux and Mrs. Pelletier.
 
2
WW
5 min. 4-2/5 sec.
 
15 m.
 
3
WW
9 min. 1-3/5 sec.
 
12 m.
 Paul Zens, French balloonist, passenger.
Sep 28
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
1 hr. 7 min. 24-4/5 sec.
48 k. 120 m.
10 m.
 Flight won 5,000-franc prize of the Commission of Aviation of the Aero-Club de France.
 
2
WW
11 min. 35-2/5 sec.
 
ca. 30 m.
 Paul Tissandier, passenger.  Flight was a world record.
 
3
WW
6 min. 15 sec.
 
 
 Count Charles de Lambert, passenger.  Flight was witnessed by Simon Lake, inventor of the submarine, and by Paul Cornu, inventor of the helicopter.
Oct 3
 
 
 
 
 
 New propellers with larger blades were used for the first time.  The landing on the last flight of the day was made in darkness, and Wilbur was guided by a lantern hung on the starting pylon.  George P. Dickin, New York Herald reporter, passenger first journalist to be taken aloft on an airplane trip.  Spectators included Maj. B.F.S. Baden-Powell, J.T.C. Moore-Brabazon, Mr. and Mrs. John Adams Thayer, Capt. and Mrs. Frank H. Mason, Alexandre Darracq, Albert Clemenceau, Leon Batthou, Baron Henri de Rothschild, Charles Mascart, and R. and Mrs. Lazare Weiller.
 
1
WW
4 min. 50-1/5 sec.
 
1.50 m.
 
2
WW
9 min. 31-2/5 sec.
12 k. 412 m.
 
 
3
WW
2 min. 22-1/5 sec.
 
 
 
4
WW
18 min. 23-4/5 sec.
14 k.
10 m.
 
5
WW
3 min. 2-2/5 sec.
 
 
 
6
WW
55 min. 32-1/5 sec.
 
 
 Frantz Reichel, writer for Figaro, was passenger on this world record flight.  The flight with Relchel qualified as one of the two flights stipulated in the Wright contract with Lazare Weiller.
Oct 5
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
4 min. 9 sec.
twice around field
 Leon Bollee, automobile manufacturer, passenger.
 
2
WW
3 min. 54 sec.
 
 
 Rene Pellier, passenger; also on rest of day's flights.
 
3
WW
7 min. 30 sec.
 
 
  
 
4
WW
30 sec.
 
 
  
 
5
WW
10 min.
 
 
  
Oct 6
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
1 hr. 4 min. 26-1/5 sec.
70 k.
25 m.
 Arnold Fordyce, passenger.  Flight set a world record and fulfilled the requirements of the Wright contract with Lazare Weiller which called for the payment of $100,000 to the Wrights and gave rights to manufacture and sell Wright airplanes in Europe to the French syndicate.
Oct 7
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
3 min. 24 sec.
 
 
 Hart O. Berg, passenger.
 
2
WW
2 min. 3 sec.
 
 
 Mrs. Hart O. Berg passenger.
 
3
WW
4 min. 25-4/5 sec.
 
 
 Felix Lardry, secretary of the Aero-Club de la Sarthe, passenger.
 
4
WW
4 min. 22 sec.
 
 
 Paul Jamin., vice president of the Aero-Club de la Sarthe, passenger.
 
5
WW
4 min. 12-2/5 sec.
 
 
 A. Michalopoulo, age 11, nephew of Leon Bollee, passenger.
 
6
WW
4 min. 24-4/5 sec.
 
 
 Lt. Basile Soldotenkow, attache from Russian embassy in Rome, passenger.
Oct 8
 
 
 
 
 
 Several flights witnessed by Dowager Queen Margherita of Italy.
 
1
WW
4 min. 22 sec.
 
 
 Griffith Brewer, passenger, first Englishman to fly.
 
2
WW
4 min. 20 sec.
 
 
 Charles S. Rolls, founder of British Rolls-Royce automobile firm, passenger.
 
3
WW
4 min. 31 sec.
 
 
 Frank H. Butler, British Aeronautical Society member, passenger.
 
4
WW
4 min.
 
 
 Maj. B.F.S. Baden-Powell, president of Aeronautical Society of Great Britain, passenger.
 
5
WW
4 min. 25 sec.
 
 
 Serge Kaznakoff, chamberlain to the Russian Emperor, passenger.
 
6
WW
4 min. 21-3/4 sec.
 
 
 Mrs. Leon Bollee, passenger.
 
7
WW
14 min. 55-4/5 sec.
 
 
 Cmdr. Victor P. Bouttieaux, passenger.
Oct 9
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
4 min. 59-4/5 sec.
 
 
 Mrs. Lazare Weiller, passenger.
 
2
WW
7 min. 26-1/5 sec.
 
 
 Henri Deutsch de la Meurthe, oil magnate, passenger
 
3
WW
7 min. 37 sec.
 
 
 Mr. Edouard Bernheim, French naval constructor, passenger
 
4
WW
3 min. 20 sec.
 
 
 Captain Nollet, passenger
 
5
WW
4 min.
 
 
  
 
6
WW
4 min.
 
 
  
Oct 10
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
1 hr. 9 min. 45-2/5 sec.
55 k. (actual distance 77-80 k.)
10 m.
 Paul Painleve, mathematician and member of French Institute, passenger.  Flight set a world record.
Oct 12
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
2 min. 40 sec.
 
 
 Capt. Lucas-Girardville, passenger.  Engine performed poorly.
Oct 15
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
1 min. 38 sec.
 
 
 Arturo Mercanti, passenger.
 
2
WW
2 min. 35 sec.
 
 
 Rene Gasnier, passenger.
 
3
WW
4 min. 20 sec.
 
80 ft.
  
Oct 21
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
6 min. 40 sec.
7 k.
 
 Flight was made at Tourny.
Oct 24
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
2 min. 30 sec.
 
 
  
 
2
WW
3 min. 17-2/5 sec.
 
 
 Dr. Giovanni B. Pirelli, Italian automobile tire manufacturer from Milan, passenger.
 
3
WW
4 min. 58 sec.
 
15 m.
 Cmdr. Emmanuel M. V. Petithomme, passenger.
 
4
WW
3 min. 2 sec.
 
 
 Baron Oskar von Lancken-Wakenitz, German charge d'affaires in Paris, passenger.
Oct 28
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
12 min.
 
ca. 15 ft.
 Count Charles de Lambert, student-passenger, received his first lesson.
 
2
WW
8 min.
 
 
 De Lambert, student-passenger, and on next flight also.
 
3
WW
15 min. 2-3/5 sec.
 
 
  
Oct 29
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
7 min. 5-3/5 sec.
 
 
 De Lambert, student-passenger, on these flights.
 
2
WW
17 min. 34-2/5 sec.
 
 
  
 
3
WW
19 min. 25-3/5 sec.
 
 
  
Oct 30
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
15 min.
 
 
 De Lambert, student-passenger.  Failure of motor prevented further flight.
Oct 31
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
4 min. 30 sec.
 
200 ft.
  
 
2
WW
10 min. 37 sec.
 
40 m.
 Paul Doumer, member of French parliament, passenger.  Flights witnessed by a committee sent by French minister of War and by several members of the Chamber of Deputies.
Nov 10
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
 
 
 
  
 
2
WW
15 min. 2-3/5 sec.
 
 
 Capt. Lucas-Girardville, student-passenger, received first lesson.
Nov 11
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
 
 
 
 Captain Lucas-Girardville, student-passenger.  Upright broken in making sharp turn of the rear elevator prevented successful start.
 
2
WW
15 min.
 
 
 De Lambert, student-passenger; again on next flight.
 
3
WW
20 min.
 
 
  
 
4
WW
10 min.
 
 
 Lucas-Girardville, student-passenger.
Nov 12
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
15 min.
 
 
 De Lambert, student-passenger.
 
2
WW
 
 
 
 Lucas-Girardville, student-passenger; again on next flight.
 
3
WW
 
 
 
  
Nov 13
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
 
 
 
 Start made without use of catapult.
 
2
WW
15 min.
 
 
 Lucas-Girardville, student-passenger.
 
3
WW
 
 
60 m.
 Flight won prize for altitude give by the Aero-Club de la Sarthe.
 
4
WW
5 min.
 
 
 Georges Durand, passenger.
 
5
WW
15 min.
 
 
 De Lambert, student-passenger.
Nov 16
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
19 min.
 
 
 De Lambert, student-passenger.
 
2
WW
21 min.
 
 
 Lucas-Girardville, student-passenger.
 
3
WW
5 min.
 
 
 Marquis de Viana, Grand Equerry of Kind of Spain, passenger
 
4
WW
8 min. 20 sec.
 
 
 Jose Quinones de Leon, secretary of Spanish Embassy in Paris, passenger.
Nov 17
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
29 min. 34 sec.
 
 
 De Lambert, student-passenger; again on next flight.
 
2
WW
22 min.
 
 
  
 
3
WW
1 min. 40 sec.
 
 
 Attempt to compete for Aero-Club de France altitude prize was unsuccessful when faulty motor ended flight.
Nov 18
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
3 min. 32 sec.
 
60 m.
 Start made without use of catapult. Flight took altitude prize of the Aero-Club de France.
 
2
WW
9 min. 24 sec.
 
 
 Frank S. Lahm, passenger.
 
3
WW
19 min.
 
 
 Lucas-Girardville, student-passenger.
Dec 4
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
10 min.
 
 
 Lucas-Girardville, student-passenger on these flights.
 
2
WW
25 min.
 
 
  
Dec 16
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
ca. 10 min.
 
90 m.
 Spectators included Prince Singh of Kapurthala, India, Col. And Mrs. H. S. Massy, Maurice Farman, W. S. Hogan, Stephen A. Marples, C. G. Grunhold, R. H. S. Abbott, Leon Bollee, and about 20 members of the Aeroplane Club of Great Britain.
 
2
WW
 
 
60 m.
  
Dec 18
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
1 hr. 54 min. 2/5 sec.
99 k. 800 m.
115 m.
 Flight set world record, surpassing Wilbur's record of September 21.  Flight took prize for altitude, Aero-Club de la Sarthe, value $200, for the third time.
 
2
WW
 
 
 
  
Dec 19
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
10 min.
 
 
  
 
2
WW
4 min. 45 sec.
 
 
 Flight witnessed by delegation from the French parliament.
Dec 26
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
10 min.
 
12 m.
  
Dec 30
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
1 hr. 52 min. 40 sec.
96 k. 800 m. (real distance about 115 k.)
60 m.
 Flight carried out in extremely cold weather, 18 degrees F.
Dec 31
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
42 min.
 
 
  
 
2
WW
2 hr. 18 min. 33-3/5 sec. (extended to 2 hrs. 20 min. 23-1/5 sec.)
123 k. 200 m. (extended to 124 k. 700 m.)
 Extended time and distance of flight set new world duration and distance records.  Flight won Michelin Cup prize of 20,000 francs and Albert Triaca Prize of 500 francs.  Weather at freezing point.  Wilbur congratulated on landing by Louis Barthou, minister of Public Works.  Other spectators included Cabinet Chief Henri Lillaz, Leon Barthou, and German engineers Ansbert Vorreiter, Koberg, and Bourcart.  Designated official witnesses were Leon Bollee, George Durand, Rene Pellier, L. Vernay, Veber, Bariller, Felix Lardry, and V. Leclerc.
 
3
WW
3 min. 57-3/5 sec.
 
 
 Louis Barthou, passenger.
Jan 2
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1
WW
ca. 2 min.
 
 
 Wilbur's last flying at Camp d'Auvours.  Four friends taken as passengers for several minutes each.  L. Vernay, passenger.
 
2
WW
ca. 2 min.
 
 
 Pean, foreman at the Bollee factory, passenger.
 
3
WW
ca. 2 min.
 
 
 Belouin, passenger.
 
4
WW
ca. 2 min.
 
 
 Patrice Doroty, passenger.
 

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