Wasn't there a time very early in Superman's history that he couldn't fly? Didn't he originally just leap over tall buildings and such?

In a classic case of superdickery, Superman has a flying belt in his closet. His good buddy Batman literally breaks his body fighting crime every night without any powers at all. He only relies on skill and gear. But Superman doesn't re-gift the totally useless to him but life changing (and probably saving) gift to his friend Bruce. He has gear, the one thing Batman drools over (okay, he drools over Catwoman too) but never gives it to him.