They had a dream – and the courage to pursue it: the world's first 'aeronauts'! This image shows Otto Lilienthal gliding through the air with a flying machine of his own creation. In the 1890s, he became the first person to make repeated, well-documented flights with a heavier-than-air aircraft. These flights, over 100 years ago, were landmarks of early aviation – a field that advances at breathtaking speed to this day.
DLR reconstructed Otto Lilienthal's 'standard glider' using original plans and authentic materials. The 20-kilogram glider, with a wingspan of 6.7 metres, was scientifically tested for its flight characteristics. The results suggest that Lilienthal's fatal accident was likely caused not by a design flaw, but by unfavourable 'thermals' – atmospheric conditions.
Otto Lilienthal's historic airfield – the first in the world – has received international recognition.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has honoured Lilienthal for his significant role in aviation history.
Focus: Aviation, history
Stöllner Gollenberg in Brandenburg has now been officially recognised as the 'world's oldest airfield' and designated a 'Historic Aerospace Site'. On Saturday, 24 May 2025, a commemorative plaque was unveiled at the site, with which the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) honoured Otto Lilienthal's major contributions to aviation history. Representatives from politics and science, including from the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR), paid tribute to Lilienthal's legacy. Regarded as one of the pioneers of unpowered flight, Lilienthal carried out pioneering flight tests in the Stölln hills between 1894 and 1896, contributing significantly to the development of aerodynamics and aircraft design. Lilienthal crashed on 9 August 1896 at Gollenberg and died the following day.
Lilienthal inspired the Wright brothers
"The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics is proud to recognise the site of Otto Lilienthal's pioneering glider flights," said AIAA President Daniel Hastings. "Lilienthal's breakthroughs laid the critical groundwork for powered heavier-than-air flight. His work directly inspired the Wright brothers and shaped the future of aviation. The Institute is committed to recognizing the daring people and memorable places throughout history that have led to modern flight in the atmosphere and beyond the Kármán line."
DLR confirmed Lilienthal's capabilities
DLR has played a central role in the scientific recognition of Otto Lilienthal. Through extensive research, wind tunnel experiments and scientific publications, DLR has helped highlight Lilienthal's innovative approach and his importance for modern aviation. Andreas Dillmann, Head of the DLR Institute of Aerodynamics and Flow Technology in Göttingen, led wind tunnel studies of a reconstructed Lilienthal glider and concluded in a ceremonial address that it was "an aerodynamically flawless design, inherently stable in all flight regimes."
DLR researcher Markus Raffel unveiled the commemorative plaque. Following DLR's wind tunnel trials, Raffel demonstrated the real flight capabilities of both Lilienthal’s monoplane and the world's first biplane through his own flight experiments.
