Heard about the first biplane (German: Doppeldecker, double-decker) that set off from Berlin destination Schwerin, the pilot followed the railway line but at Hagenow two lines branched off, she did not know which to follow
So she landed in a suitable field and asked the way
Then ten strong men were recruited to hold the plane steady while the motors were revved up (they had to reverse their caps as the draught would have blown them off), at a signal they let go and after 50 m the plane was airborne (c 1911). The helpers were not paid but they had a story to tell their grandchildren
Little-known fact: gliding is popular in Germany, after Ww1 powered flying was restricted
The longest glide was from Luebeck to Bordeaux. Not sure how the pilot + plane got home
