Antique Richard anemometer used on the reproduction 1903 Flyer

Simple tools, sophisticated results

The Wright Flyer featured a forerunner of the modern flight data recorder. The device pictured to the left is a Richard anemometer and stopwatch of the same type used by the Wright brothers. This antique, original instrument was installed on the reproduction Flyer, and used in exactly the same way. The Wrights mounted the instruments on a strut, and set them to be started at when the pilot slipped the catch which held the Flyer in place, thereby recording data as soon as the machine began to move.

The instruments recorded the amount of air that passed through the anemometer, and the time of the flights. With this information and a measurement for distance travelled, the Wrights could determine the Flyer's speed. A revolution counter was also connected to the same starting and stopping device, so the Wrights could calculate engine performance as well.

By comparison, the modern digital system used on the reproduction Flyer recorded over 15 channels of data, and could produce plots of performance within minutes of the flights.