110th Anniversary of First Flight

[flarepilot]

Dec 17, 1903...first flight by Orville Wright followed By Wilbur Wright.

Just think, PPRUNE wouldn't exist without the WRights.

[VH-UFO]

Ah, but were they the first?

[DaveReidUK]

November 21, 1783 has a pretty good claim to be the "first flight".

[joy ride]

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.

[Captain Dart]

Controlled, sustained, documented and repeated. I think the Wrights have it.

[DH106]

Controlled, sustained, documented and repeatedWith those 4 provisos, yes.