From Brian Collins, Wellington, New Zealand
Douglas Heaven reports that a prototype aeroplane using electroaerodynamic propulsion flew for 12 seconds, the same as the Wright brothers achieved with their maiden flight (24 November 2018, p 7). It is a historical fact that the Wright brothers flew their bird-like monoplane on 17 December 1903. But many believe that was the , as early as 31 March 1902, before the Wright brothers.
Later, witnesses reported that Pearse flew 400 metres and soft-landed on a hedge on his Timaru farm. His aircraft was also the first to use proper ailerons, instead of the inferior warping system that the Wrights used.
