Which aspect of flight was a major focus of the Wright Brothers’ testing?

The major focus of the Wright Brothers' testing was lift generation. The creation of sufficient lift was crucial to achieving sustained flight, which was their primary goal. The Wright Brothers conducted numerous gliding experiments to understand how various wing shapes, sizes, and configurations affected lift. They developed and utilized wind tunnel testing to refine their designs, particularly to maximize the lift-to-drag ratio, which is essential for flight efficiency. Their extensive research allowed them to determine how to manipulate the angle of attack and airfoil shape effectively, leading to the development of the first successful heavier-than-air flight.

While speed optimization, landing techniques, and passenger comfort are important aspects of aviation, they became more significant considerations as flight technology advanced. Initially, the Wright Brothers needed to focus on achieving enough lift to achieve controlled and sustained powered flight before addressing these other aspects.