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Old 17th Dec 2013, 08:12
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joy ride
 
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Yup, all depends on how you define it! Certainly the Wright Brothers were the first to fly a heavier-than-air powered and controlled craft.
Balloons then gliders flew first, then some hops in powered craft which did not have any means of control, Clement Ader's claimed flight in Eole was actually longer than the Wright's flight, but the craft had no means of 3 axis control.
The Wight Brothers learned hugely from previous pioneers, but no doubting their fantastic achievement.
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