I find it amazing that Jane's All the World Aircraft (the bible of aviation history) could issue its (accurate) findings that Gustave Whitehead of CT was inventor of the first successful airplane, ergo "first in flight" and this is not acknowledged by this group of commentators. It is well known in Fairfield, CT and the surrounding towns that Gustave Whitehead flew there in 1901 and made many flights from 1901-1910, many of these were witnessed and officially documented. What most people don't understand is that the Wrights rigged their official recognition as pioneer inventors (first) in order to broaden their patent rights. They hired someone to do this for them and it worked well, all documented in letters they and he wrote. Then Orville, whose life passion was to be recognized as first in flight (ahead of his own brother and any others) did accomplish this by many actions taken right through 1948, when a Contract with the Smithsonian was signed to ensure it. The public has been hoodwinked over and over by those who sought to control the title of "first in flight" - the Wrights and later, their friends and the Smithsonian. History has often been controlled by those who wished to gain power and money. This is no different. The Wrights were not first in flight. Whitehead actually was.
Gustave Whitehead First to Fly for more information.