First PIC? Wilbur or Orville?

[Tailwind]

I thought Orville was the one who flew the plane first.
However, (according to CNN) it was Wilber who was at the controls.

Quote from CNN:
"But it was no sure thing. Even after the Wright brothers managed their 59-second flight with Wilbur at the controls, there was still the matter of establishing themselves as airborne pioneers, as Tobin carefully traces in his book. "

Does CNN have it right on this one?

 

[ShawnC]

There were a number of successful glider flights, before the Wrights, one of those could claim first PIC.

 

[ventus]

The first balloon pilot could also claim the title of the first PIC. Balloon is an aircraft.

 

[midlifeflyer]

"logging" or "acting"?

 

[ventus]

"logging" or "acting"?

Both

 

[bobbysamd]

Pilot Shortage

More debunking of the pilot shortage. Even one hundred years ago there were plenty of pilots and not enough jobs. There was only one crew position open on the Wright Flyer but two qualified applicants vying for the one job!

 

[EagleRJ]

If I remember right, the Wrights made several flights that morning. They switched places after each one, and Wilber was at the controls for a flight where the Flyer took off, but did not go straight, and dipped a wing onto the ground. After they repaired the minor damage, Orville made the flight that is generally accepted as the first powered heaver-than-air controlled flight.

 

[Nolife]

Either way, in today's environment Orville would have to furlough Wilbur and conceed wages to maintian profitibilty.