Wright EX Vin Fiz

The Wright EX was a single-seat airplane for exhibition flying manufactured and sold by the Wright brothers. The Vin Fiz, the first airplane to fly across the United States, was rebuilt so many times during its historic cross-country flight that almost every part was replaced along the way. Learn more about the first trans-continental flight.

The Vin Fiz was the first airplane to cross the United States from coast to coast.

Aircraft Details
Wingspan: 9.6 m (31 ft 6 in)
Length: 6.5 m (21 ft 5 in)
Height: 2.2 m (7 ft 4 in)
Weight, empty: 408 kg (900 lb)
Engine: Wright vertical 4-cylinder, 35 hp
From Invention to Industry
Within a decade after the Wright brothers’ historic first flights in 1903, aviation began to evolve from invention to viable technology. A fledgling aircraft industry emerged. Thousands flocked to see flying exhibitions and competitions. Pilots became major celebrities. The military began adding airplanes to its arsenal. Commercial uses, such as passenger and cargo transport, got their start.

By 1914 it was clear: the airplane was here to stay.
Hints of the Future
The 1920s and 1930s saw aviation come of age. The modern airplane took shape, and aviation technology found its place in everyday life. But hints of what was to come had been present before then. Many are illustrated in the story of one milestone airplane—the Wright EX Vin Fiz.