历史上的今天：1903年-莱特兄弟的第一架飞机试飞成功

历史上的今天：1903年-莱特兄弟的第一架飞机试飞成功

1903年12月17日，美国的两兄弟奥维尔（Orville）和威尔伯（Wilbur）·赖特（Wright）在航空历史上取得了一个具有里程碑意义的成就，他们成功驾驶了世界上第一架有动力、可控且能够持续飞行的飞机。这架飞机名为飞行者（Flyer），从位于北卡罗来纳州基蒂霍克附近的一座沙丘起飞。飞行时间仅为12秒，飞行距离为120英尺，但它标志着人类飞行的开始。

On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright, two American brothers, achieved a groundbreaking feat in aviation history by successfully flying the first powered, controlled, and sustained airplane flight. The aircraft, named the Flyer, took off from a small sand dune near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The flight lasted only 12 seconds, covering a distance of 120 feet, but it marked the beginning of human flight.

The Wright Flyer

赖特飞行器

The Flyer was a biplane with a wingspan of 12.3 meters (40 feet) and a weight of about 274 kilograms (605 pounds). Powered by a 12-horsepower engine, the aircraft was designed by the Wright brothers themselves. The brothers used their own knowledge of aerodynamics to build a plane that could fly.

飞行者（Flyer）是一架双翼飞机，机翼跨度为12.3米（40英尺），重量约为274公斤（605磅）。飞机由一台12马力的引擎驱动，完全是由赖特兄弟自己设计的。兄弟俩利用他们自己对空气动力学的理解，设计并建造了一架能够飞行的飞机。

The Historic Flight

历史性的飞行

At 10:35 AM on that day, Orville Wright piloted the first successful flight, which lasted 12 seconds and covered a distance of 120 feet. After a brief break, Wilbur took his turn and flew the aircraft for 59 seconds, covering a distance of 852 feet. The success of these flights proved that controlled, powered flight was possible.

当天上午10:35，奥维尔·赖特成功驾驶了第一架飞机，飞行时间为12秒，飞行距离为120英尺。稍作休息后，威尔伯接替驾驶，飞行了59秒，飞行距离为852英尺。这些飞行的成功证明了有控制的动力飞行是可能的。

Challenges and Innovation

挑战与创新

The Wright brothers faced numerous challenges during their pursuit of flight, including designing a lightweight engine, creating a reliable control system, and overcoming the limitations of their time’s technology. They also had to test and refine their designs, often facing failures before each success. Their breakthrough came when they developed a system of control that allowed the pilot to maintain stability and maneuver the aircraft.

在追求飞行的过程中，赖特兄弟遇到了许多挑战，包括设计轻型引擎、创建可靠的控制系统以及克服当时技术的局限性。他们还不得不测试并改进他们的设计，常常在每次成功之前经历失败。他们的突破出现在他们开发了一种控制系统，使飞行员能够保持稳定并操控飞机。

The Impact on Aviation

对航空的影响

The success of the Wright brothers’ first flight revolutionized the world of aviation. It proved that powered flight was not only possible but also practical. Over the following years, airplanes would evolve rapidly, leading to advancements in air travel, military aviation, and space exploration.

赖特兄弟的第一次飞行成功彻底改变了航空领域。它证明了有动力飞行不仅可能，而且是切实可行的。在随后的几年里，飞机迅速发展，推动了航空旅行、军事航空以及太空探索的进步。

英语词汇

2. Feats (n.) – 功绩，壮举
   Remarkable achievements or accomplishments, often requiring skill or bravery.

3. Groundbreaking (adj.) – 开创性的，突破性的
   Introducing new and innovative ideas or methods that lead to major progress.

4. Aviation (n.) – 航空，飞行
   The science or practice of flying aircraft.

5. Powered (adj.) – 有动力的
   Refers to an object or vehicle that is driven by an engine or other power source.

6. Controlled (adj.) – 可控的
   Describes a flight or operation that is under the pilot's direct command or regulation.

7. Sustained (adj.) – 持续的
   Refers to the ability of an aircraft to maintain flight for a certain period of time.

8. Biplane (n.) – 双翼飞机
   An airplane with two sets of wings, one above the other.

9. Engine (n.) – 引擎
   A machine that converts energy into mechanical motion to power vehicles or machines.

10. Aerodynamics (n.) – 空气动力学
    The study of the motion of air and how it interacts with solid objects, especially the movement of aircraft.

11. Breakthrough (n.) – 突破，重大进展
    A sudden and significant advance in knowledge or achievement.

12. Control System (n.) – 控制系统
    A system that allows a pilot to direct the movements of an aircraft.

13. Stability (n.) – 稳定性
    The ability of an aircraft to maintain steady flight without excessive oscillations or deviations.

The Wright brothers’ first successful flight is one of the most important milestones in the history of human achievement. It laid the foundation for the modern aviation industry and changed the way people traveled and interacted with the world. Their perseverance and innovation have left a lasting legacy in the skies.

赖特兄弟的第一次成功飞行是人类成就历史上最重要的里程碑之一。它为现代航空工业奠定了基础，改变了人们的旅行方式和与世界的互动。他们的坚持和创新为天空留下了持久的遗产。