Samuel Langley's successful 1896 flight of an unmanned heavier than air vehicle prompted the Navy to appropriate funds to enable Langley to develop a manned version.

True or False?

True

Explanation:

Langley aerodrome was an innovative but unsuccessful manned and powered machine. It was designed at the end of 19th century by Samuel Langley, secretary of Smithsonian Institution. The US Army gave 50,000 dollars for the project to build man carrying version of the aircraft. In 1898 when Langley successfully demonstrated small scale unmanned models in 1896. He coined the term aerodrome.

Langley's Aerodrome No 5. was the first successful fight of heavier-than-air, engine driven and unpiloted aircraft.