the first flight (dec 17, 1903) was NOT using a catapult. wilbur and another man ran along the side as the plane gained speed, helping to stabilize the machine.
Read please again my message at this link:
http://www.pprune.org/aviation-histo...ml#post8508464
I did not talk there about the flights on Dec. 17, 1903. The witnesses saw the 1905 Flyer being pushed by hand not the 1903 machine. Be more careful please.