The whole point is of interpretation of definitions.
What is "practical"?
Is it "practical" to have an aircraft that has to take off on a rail and has to be physically carried and lifted back on to one to return to flight?
Where does a "hop" end and "sustained" flight begin?
I agree Haraka - but this is where Simplex struggles with the 'nuances' of the english language.
The reason I highlighted the last sentence on post 266 is that by 1905 the Wrights launching method had become irrelevant to actual flight duration,with hindsight their biggest 'mistake' was staying with the launch rail but I can understand their reasoning behind it !
rgds LR