The Wright brothers just glided in 1903. They flew in 1908.
Incredible but not impossible. My grandfather, god rest his soul, was 'only' a techy with GEC Marconi. But he had also been a Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineer corporal during National Service. When it came to anything with an engine, you could trust him to take care of the issue or have a contact who could.
Just because you can't, doesn't mean others can't.
I posit again, what is your angle and beef? Who are you touting as the true first pilot? Ikarus does not count and da Vinci is out of the running also.