Preparing for a Demonstration Flight of the Wright Flyer, France, 1908-1909

Wilbur Wright made his successful French demonstration flights in what was later designated a Wright Model A airplane. The Model A featured several improvements over the Wright brothers' earlier planes. It allowed the pilot to sit upright, rather than lay down, while in flight. It also included a passenger seat, letting Wilbur take dignitaries and would-be customers into the sky with him.