Members gathered for the November Meeting when Chairman Dave Vernon welcomed visitors Chris Burge, Cec White, and John Sellars from Probus Filey. He also welcomed John Gruen a guest of our Secretary David Dunk. Chairman Dave then had great pleasure installing new member Tony Scanlon, who was presented with his tie and pin.
After an excellent lunch our speaker for the day, Roger Stanley was introduced. Roger was talking about The Wright Brothers, The Pioneers of Flight. ORVILLE WRIGHT 1871-1948 AND WILBUR WRIGHT 1867-1912. Leading into the main part of the talk, Roger mentioned the early failed attempts and a British Pioneer called Sir George Cayley, who had an influence on the direction of the research into requirements of a successful flight.
His Man-Carrier of 1853 was a very primitive design but it did succeed in leaving the ground. A replica of this machine was made and is kept at the Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington. Roger quoted Wilbur Wright as saying in 1909, “About 100 years ago an Englishman, Sir George Cayley, carried the science of flying to a point which it had never reached before and which it scarcely reached again during the last century”.
In the late 19th Century both brothers joined together to work on a printing press, published a local newspaper, and then moved into the ownership of a bicycle shop. It wasn’t until the turn of the Century that their interest in flying came to the fore.
Roger traced their early attempts at developing the wing, with the emphasis on curvature and the ‘lift and drag’ characteristics. The challenge was to control an aircraft in 3D space, which of course is very different to controlling a car in 1D. Pitch and Roll being the challenges. Unlike their predecessors, the Wright Brothers developed in a step by step way to powered flight. Ensuring success in one step before moving on.
When they had a model to test they needed an area with a soft landing for obvious reasons. They decided on Kitty Hawk, with its Sand Dunes. Enlisting the help of William J Tate and his Family, gliders were built and a wind tunnel ensured that the necessary angles on the Kite were maximised to ensure take off. There was a definite improvement in lift and reduction in drag.
At this stage they felt they were ready to add an engine, but all available engines were far too heavy and would ensure a massive increase in drag. They had a special engine built by Charlie Taylor, which was 92% Aluminium and 8% Copper, making it only 170lb.
With an 8 foot propeller, and water and fuel tanks added, the plane was taking shape. The year was 1903 and Orville demonstrated the first powered flight. A telegram to Father marked the success. Their foresight led to opening of a training school for pilots in order to expand commercially.
Recognition came from the Aeronautical Society in London, May 1909, with the award of a gold medal.
Wilbur died of Typhoid at 45, and his brother sold their aircraft company 4 years later. Definitely the end of an era. The family home and the bicycle workshop has been moved to the Henry Ford Museum in view of their importance to the Flying Industry.
Member Geoff Veitch gave a vote of thanks after a couple of questions, and Chairman Dave reminded members of the Christmas Ladies Lunch. He finished by thanking Bryon Shepherd, a long standing member, for his service to the club and wishing him all the best in his move closer to his family.
Further information about the club’s activities can be found on www.probusbridlington.weebly.net
After an excellent lunch our speaker for the day, Roger Stanley was introduced. Roger was talking about The Wright Brothers, The Pioneers of Flight. ORVILLE WRIGHT 1871-1948 AND WILBUR WRIGHT 1867-1912. Leading into the main part of the talk, Roger mentioned the early failed attempts and a British Pioneer called Sir George Cayley, who had an influence on the direction of the research into requirements of a successful flight.
His Man-Carrier of 1853 was a very primitive design but it did succeed in leaving the ground. A replica of this machine was made and is kept at the Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington. Roger quoted Wilbur Wright as saying in 1909, “About 100 years ago an Englishman, Sir George Cayley, carried the science of flying to a point which it had never reached before and which it scarcely reached again during the last century”.
In the late 19th Century both brothers joined together to work on a printing press, published a local newspaper, and then moved into the ownership of a bicycle shop. It wasn’t until the turn of the Century that their interest in flying came to the fore.
Roger traced their early attempts at developing the wing, with the emphasis on curvature and the ‘lift and drag’ characteristics. The challenge was to control an aircraft in 3D space, which of course is very different to controlling a car in 1D. Pitch and Roll being the challenges. Unlike their predecessors, the Wright Brothers developed in a step by step way to powered flight. Ensuring success in one step before moving on.
When they had a model to test they needed an area with a soft landing for obvious reasons. They decided on Kitty Hawk, with its Sand Dunes. Enlisting the help of William J Tate and his Family, gliders were built and a wind tunnel ensured that the necessary angles on the Kite were maximised to ensure take off. There was a definite improvement in lift and reduction in drag.
At this stage they felt they were ready to add an engine, but all available engines were far too heavy and would ensure a massive increase in drag. They had a special engine built by Charlie Taylor, which was 92% Aluminium and 8% Copper, making it only 170lb.
With an 8 foot propeller, and water and fuel tanks added, the plane was taking shape. The year was 1903 and Orville demonstrated the first powered flight. A telegram to Father marked the success. Their foresight led to opening of a training school for pilots in order to expand commercially.
Recognition came from the Aeronautical Society in London, May 1909, with the award of a gold medal.
Wilbur died of Typhoid at 45, and his brother sold their aircraft company 4 years later. Definitely the end of an era. The family home and the bicycle workshop has been moved to the Henry Ford Museum in view of their importance to the Flying Industry.
Member Geoff Veitch gave a vote of thanks after a couple of questions, and Chairman Dave reminded members of the Christmas Ladies Lunch. He finished by thanking Bryon Shepherd, a long standing member, for his service to the club and wishing him all the best in his move closer to his family.
Further information about the club’s activities can be found on www.probusbridlington.weebly.net