Space Print from NASA: 1st Powered Flight in History. On December 17, 1903, at 10:30 am at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, this airplane arose for a few seconds make the first powered, heavier-than-air controlled flight in history. The first flight lasted 12 seconds and flew a distance of 120 feet. Orville Wright piloted the historic flight while his brother, Wilbur, observed (NASA Media Archives). Buy this picture as an unframed print or poster, a framed print or a mounted box canvas print.