Full title: The earliest account of successful human flight is of a Chinese prince, who in 559 was forced to jump off a tower, strapped to a large kite. He survived the ordeal after gliding a considerable distance, and was subsequently starved to death in prison.
I told my kids, “jumping from a high place doesn’t count. It’s only flying if you start from the ground.” Did that prevent them jumping off a roof and breaking a limb? Maybe. Or they just weren’t stupid. Anyway they survived to adulthood without broken bones.
I’d go further and say you must start from a standing position. Or else I can prove rocks can fly.
Addressed to those murican brothers. Signed: a Brazilian fan of Santos Dumont.
Standing on a catapult. Checkmate, aviasts
Agreed except:
Waterfowl often take off from a floating position
Bats from a hanging position
Doable with a large kite. Proper flight should be controllable