The History: Wilbur has received Octave Chanute's letter from San Diego.

He thanks Chanute for his offer to lend his personal anemometer to them for their experiments. He and Orville are reluctant to borrow others' equipment. However, based on their planned budget for this year's experiments, they may call upon Chanute in the future for this instrument.

Wilbur reviews the plans for the new machine and its testing. They plan to spend six to eight weeks at Kitty Hawk during September and October [1901].

This year they will construct a 16 feet by 25 feet shelter to protect the new glider. The 1901 glider will be similar in design to the 1900, but larger. The wings will be 7 feet by 22 feet and the front rudder will be 4 feet by 5 feet and will weigh about 75 pounds.

The Wrights method of controlling the machine does not depend on the operator shifting his weight [like Lilienthal's glider]. Subsequently, they should not have difficulty controlling this new larger machine.

Wilbur also makes the following comment, "It is our idea that the total drift resistance of a large machine at its soaring speed will be less than that of a smaller machine at its speed, since the resistance of the operator's body will be less at the slow speed."

Wilbur concludes his letter with an invitation to Chanute. "It is scarcely necessary to say that it would give us the greatest pleasure to have you visit us while in camp if you should find it possible to do so."

The Wrights did not accept funding from individuals, the government or societies to fund their work. They funded their own work. The Wrights determined that their experiments, gliders and the 1903 Wright Flyer (the first successful powered aircraft) cost about $2000.

The meaning of Wilbur's comment regarding "total drift resistance" is a little confusing, since it can be interpreted different ways.

At the turn-of-the-century in aeronautic circles, the word "drift" had two meanings: a) the angle of attack and b) a major component of wing drag. The angle of attack is the angle between the relative wind and the chord of an airfoil. "Total resistance" referred to the modern day term of total "drag", which would include the drag from all of the components of the vehicle, not just the wings.

Consequently Wilbur's use of the term "total drift resistance" is a little confusing and Chanute will challenge his statement in his next letter.

Quotation from the book The Papers of Wilbur and Orville Wright, Volume 1 by M. McFarland.