entirely on its own power, not assisted by gravity, rails, catapults, or wind, as they believe the Wright Brother's at Kitty Hawk was, along with their subsequent flights. (I'm not buying or selling here, just describing the disagreement and controversy, as I understand it — my post above was in jest):

"On 23 October...at 4:45 pm [1906], Santos-Dumont started the engine. The plane lifted off and flew for 60 metres,  without taking advantage of headwinds, ramps, catapults, slopes, or other devices. The flight had taken place solely by the aircraft's own means, and Europeans... believed it was the first such achievement"



"[Brazilians] argue that the Wrights did not fulfill the conditions set up during this period to distinguish a true flight from a prolonged hop; Santos-Dumont, on the other hand, took off unassisted, publicly flew a predetermined length in front of experts, and then safely landed.

"Brazilians fail to recognize the legitimacy of the Wright Brothers’ flight because they claim the Wright Flyer took off from a rail and, then later used a catapult (or, at the very least, used an incline to takeoff)...Lins de Barros believes that the 'strong, steady winds at Kitty Hawk were crucial for the Flyer’s take-off, disqualifying the flight because there was no proof it could lift off on its own.'"