The History: Wilbur replies to Chanute's letter of March 7th and discusses Captain Ferber's gliding experiments. Wilbur empathizes with Ferber's problems in locating a useable gliding practice area. Wilbur's opinion is that Ferber should consider seeking a more suitable area even if it is not close "... rather than waste time on poor slopes at home, or impractical situations." [Chanute has explained in his letter of March 7th that Ferber's gliding area is located on a rocky hill.] "His nerve is unquestionable" remarks Wilbur.

Wilbur discusses Chanute's request that the Wrights sell their 1902 glider and the Lamson glider to Captain Ferber. Their 1902 glider would need to be disassembled to ship. Wilbur believes constructing a new glider designed to be taken apart for shipping would be easier. Wilbur explains to Chanute the brothers plan to continue experimenting with their 1902 glider later this year. Consequently, they do not want to sell the 1902 glider to Captain Ferber at this point in time. The oscillating wing machine built by Charles Lamson has been stored at their Kitty Hawk, North Carolina campsite. The brothers are happy to make that machine available to Ferber as Chanute requests.

The frame of the oscillating wing machine Charles Lamson built for Chanute in 1902

Wilbur and Orville intend on conducting many more experiments this year "... and would be very loath to permit anything to obstruct it". However, they could build a new machine for Captain Ferber next winter and instruct him the following spring in the United States.

Wilbur shares with Chanute, that he and Orville look forward to Chanute's visit when he has returned to the United States..

Wilbur has told Chanute that perhaps in the winter they would have time to build Ferber a machine and teach him to fly. Yet in nine months on December 17, 1903, the Wrights will fly the first powered, controlled manned vehicle. From this letter it does not appear they believe they are close to success or recognize how their lives will change after their first flight.

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