30 SEPT 2026History
What time did the Wright brothers first fly? 17 December 1903, 10:35
The first powered flight lifted off at Kitty Hawk at 10:35 local time on 17 December 1903, which is 15:35 UTC.
Short answer: 17 December 1903 at 10:35 local time (Eastern Standard Time) at Kill Devil Hills near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. That is 15:35 UTC.
What happened
Orville Wright piloted the Wright Flyer for about 12 seconds and 120 feet (37 metres) into a strong headwind. Wilbur ran alongside. The brothers flew three more times that morning; the longest flight, by Wilbur, lasted 59 seconds and covered 852 feet.
How we know the time
Orville recorded the flight in his diary, and the time of 10:35 is given by the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, which holds the original aircraft. John T. Daniels of the nearby lifesaving station took the famous photograph of the lift-off.