# Wright Model E

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The **Wright Model E** was the first in the series of Wright Flyers that used a single propeller.[1] The aircraft was also the test demonstrator for the first [automatic pilot](/source/Autopilot) control.

## Design

The Model E featured 24 inch tires. It was flown with four and six cylinder Wright engines.

The model E was fitted with a prototype autopilot that used a wind driven generator and pendulums to drive the wing warping controls. The design was quickly eclipsed by a gyroscopic autopilot developed by [Lawrence Sperry](/source/Lawrence_Sperry) for the competing [Curtiss Aeroplane Company](/source/Curtiss_Aeroplane_Company).[2]

## Operational history

On 31 December 1913, Orville Wright demonstrated a Model E with an "automatic stabilizer" flying seven circuits around [Huffman Prairie](/source/Huffman_Prairie) field with his hands above his head.[3] The Model E demonstrations earned the Wright Brothers the 1913 [Collier Trophy](/source/Collier_Trophy) from [Aero Club of America](/source/Aero_Club_of_America).

Albert Elton (1881–1975) purchased the sole Wright Model E for exhibition flights.[4]

## References

1. ["1913 Wright Model E"](http://www.wright-brothers.org/Information_Desk/Just_the_Facts/Airplanes/Model_E.htm). Retrieved 3 Feb 2011.

1. Tom D. Crouch. *The Bishop's boys: a life of Wilbur and Orville Wright*

1. "Wright Automatic Stabilizer". *New York Times*. 6 January 1914.

1. American Aviation Historical Society. *American Aviation Historical Society Journal*. **9-11**

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Wright Model E](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wright_Model_E) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wright_Model_E?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.