The History: While waiting for a boat to take him from Elizabeth City across Albemarle Sound to Kitty Hawk, Wilbur writes his father a letter.

Map Of Elizabeth City And Kitty Hawk, North Carolina Area

Wilbur promises his father he will be careful as he experiments and he will not try anything dangerous. "I think the danger much less than in most athletic games."

The wind should support the machine in a stationary position (like a kite) versus move the machine through the air with reference to the ground.

He explains to his father why Kitty Hawk was chosen. The winds are steady and about 15-20 miles per hour. There are no trees or rough terrain to disrupt the air flow. Wilbur felt it would be less expensive and worthwhile to go to an area where he could practice all the time, versus an area close to home where you might have to wait days or weeks for the right wind conditions.

Quotation from the book Miracle at Kitty Hawk by Fred C. Kelly.