World Aviation in 1905

18 January
The Wright brothers open discussions with the United States government for the sale of an aeroplane.

6 June
Gabriel Voisin, in a boxkite glider (sailplane) of his own design, lifts off from the River Seine. To enable take-off, the glider was towed by a motor boat.

23 July
The first flight of the Wright Flyer No.III. This is the first fully controllable and practical version of the original Flyer.

14 October
The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the world's air sports federation, is founded in France. It is a non-governmental, non-profit making international organisation with the basic aim of furthering aeronautical and astronautical activities worldwide.

16 October
The Wright brothers complete their current series of test flights. They will not fly again until May 1908.

30 November
The launch of Zeppelin LZ2 from it's Lake Constance
base results in significant damage before it can fly.