Where's A Headwind When You Need One?

When the Wright Brothers made their historic first flight 100 years ago, they had a headwind. It was vital.

The 25 mph breeze was essential in getting the underpowered Wright Flyer off the ground. Any questions about that were answered in Chicago Saturday as the winds were less than 5 mph.

"The Wrights flew into a 25 mile-per-hour wind. I think we could have flown if we had that," said Mike Gillian, pilot of the replica.

"It basically just mowed the grass," said retired Magistrate Stan Mondala. "They could have used more wind."

The Wright Redux Association, the group that built the Chicago replica, may attempt to fly again next month. After that the craft will go on display at the museum.

Another Wright Flyer replica is being built by a group in Virginia and is scheduled to fly on December 17 at Kitty Hawk, the site of the Wright Brothers' flight 100 years ago.

The original Wright Flyer is on display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington and will be featured in an exhibit there to commemorate the centennial.

FMI: www.wrightredux.org