We don't know for sure if Pearse's first airplane took off in 1903

  • Claim

Name

We don't know for sure if Pearse's first airplane took off in 1903

Description

One thing is certain: it was an amazing design that had technical features still used in aircraft construction today, such as an aileron. The Wright Flyer didn't have one, although the brothers worked with a team of engineers, while the self-taught Pearse designed his machine entirely on his own. Whether he was the first powered aviator or not, Pearse is in any case an applaudable pioneer of aviation.

Types

Claim

Opposing arguments

Errol Martyn suggests Pearse did not fly until long after the Wright Brothers

Sources

Aviation pioneer Richard Pearse by DPMA

Supporting arguments

New Zealand aviation pioneer was the real deal
George Bolt claims that Richard Pearse flew an airplane in 1903 before the Wright brothers
Richard Pearse stated: "After Langley's failure in 1903 I was still of the opinion that aerial navigation was possible, and I started out to solve the problem about March, 1904. The Wrights started at about the same time."
Biographer Gordon Ogilvie claimed that Richard Pearse flew on March 1903, months before Wright brothers.

Tags

Aviation

Topics

History of aviation
Contemporary Age
History of Technology