<P> The Wright Flyer (often retrospectively referred to as Flyer I or 1903 Flyer) was the first successful heavier - than - air powered aircraft . It was designed and built by the Wright brothers . They flew it four times on December 17, 1903, near Kill Devil Hills, about four miles south of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, US . Today, the airplane is exhibited in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. The U.S. Smithsonian Institution describes the aircraft as "the first powered, heavier - than - air machine to achieve controlled, sustained flight with a pilot aboard ." The flight of Flyer I marks the beginning of the "pioneer era" of aviation . </P> <P> The Flyer was based on the Wrights' experience testing gliders at Kitty Hawk between 1900 and 1902 . Their last glider, the 1902 Glider, led directly to the design of the Flyer . </P> <P> The Wrights built the aircraft in 1903 using giant spruce wood as their construction material . The wings were designed with a 1 - in - 20 camber . Since they could not find a suitable automobile engine for the task, they commissioned their employee Charlie Taylor to build a new design from scratch, effectively a crude gasoline engine . A sprocket chain drive, borrowing from bicycle technology, powered the twin propellers, which were also made by hand . </P> <P> The Flyer was a bicanard biplane configuration . As with the gliders, the pilot flew lying on his stomach on the lower wing with his head toward the front of the craft in an effort to reduce drag . He steered by moving a cradle attached to his hips . The cradle pulled wires which warped the wings and turned the rudder simultaneously . </P>

When was the first gas powered airplane invented