New Wright flier takes wing

WENDOVER — Marking the centennial year anniversary of powered flight, a modern version of the Wright brothers' first aircraft took to the air above the Wendover airport runway Wednesday.

It was actually the second day of test flights for the flier, constructed by students and faculty members at Utah State University, Logan. The plane made low-flying runs to the delight of about 60 spectators beside the runway who cheered as the biplane taxied along, with the engine puttering and two vehicles following it. Then it gently lifted off the asphalt and flew at an unbelievably slow rate for an aircraft, like some giant box kite, going maybe 10 feet above the surface before it touched down on the runway.

The estimated distance was about 7,000 feet — far longer than the Wright brothers' Dec. 17, 1903, flight of 120 feet — said Jill Stout, a USU student who helped build the plane.

Other students who contributed many hundreds of hours of voluntary work on the plane include James Call, Marc Karpowich and Scott Wilson.

Stout said she learned many things about aeronautics while working on the plane and said the team discovered many modifications that were needed.

"Almost every time (the Wrights) flew, they wrecked, and less than a week later they were out, they'd fixed it . . . it's been a real learning experience," she said.

Wayne Larsen of Tremonton has a flying service based in Brigham City. Project backers say Hill Air Force Base pilots had volunteered to fly the aircraft. But Larsen was chosen because he does crop dusting and the plane needs a pilot used to flying low and slow.

One designer noted that the Wright plane flies slower than the F-16 taxis.

Before the plane left the air, Larsen had one of Utah's most distinguished pilots as co-pilot: former Sen. Jake Garn of Utah. The two took the Wright flier for several practice taxi runs previous to the actual flight. The plane revved its engines and scooted smoothly along the asphalt of the taxiway, and at times the front wheels lifted from the ground, but not the main wheel carriage.

The plane will not carry such distinguished passengers or pilots until it has more flying time and is proved safe, according to project officials.

"Great," Garn said, describing the feeling of the taxi runs. "The hardest thing is the brakes. You've got to really push them hard."