Chapter 3Chapter 3Early Flight (1904 – 1914)Early Flight (1904 – 1914)

Section A – Airplanes and Airmen in EuropeSection A – Airplanes and Airmen in EuropeSection B – American DevelopmentsSection B – American DevelopmentsSection C – Flying CompetitionsSection C – Flying CompetitionsSection D – Aviation IndustrySection D – Aviation Industry

Section ASection AAirplanes and Airmen in EuropeAirplanes and Airmen in Europe

The Wright brother had achieve powered flight in 1903 The Wright brother had achieve powered flight in 1903 and demonstrated its practicality, but were reluctant to and demonstrated its practicality, but were reluctant to

share their technology. Despite, the brothers’ refusal to share their technology. Despite, the brothers’ refusal to cooperate with other inventors, development work in cooperate with other inventors, development work in

aviation continued without the Wright’s technology and aviation continued without the Wright’s technology and without detail knowledge of the technology. Octave without detail knowledge of the technology. Octave

Chanute helped to inspire some of the European Chanute helped to inspire some of the European efforts by lecturing in Paris in 1903 on his and the efforts by lecturing in Paris in 1903 on his and the

brothers’ gliders. He talked about wing warping and brothers’ gliders. He talked about wing warping and the use of the rear rudder. He spurred the pride of the the use of the rear rudder. He spurred the pride of the

French.French.

European DevelopmentsEuropean Developments

Robert Esnault-PelterieRobert Esnault-Pelterie– Tried to reproduce the 1902 Wright gliderTried to reproduce the 1902 Wright glider

Reproduction included wing warpingReproduction included wing warping

– Without the Wright’s Technology and Without the Wright’s Technology and knowledge, he failed.knowledge, he failed.

– In 1904 In 1904 Pelterie devised his own glide, it flew in OctoberPelterie devised his own glide, it flew in October

Used ailerons in front instead of wing warping.Used ailerons in front instead of wing warping.

European DevelopmentsEuropean Developments

In 1905, Gabriel Voisin and attorney Ernast In 1905, Gabriel Voisin and attorney Ernast Archdeacon organized the Archdeacon organized the Syndicat d’AviationSyndicat d’Aviation, , the first company organized to make heavier-the first company organized to make heavier-than-air craft. The company produced two than-air craft. The company produced two gliders, one for Archdeacon and one for gliders, one for Archdeacon and one for engineer Louis Bleroit.engineer Louis Bleroit.Both gliders flew successfully; Bleriot-Voisin Both gliders flew successfully; Bleriot-Voisin Company was born., but the broke up in 1906.Company was born., but the broke up in 1906.That same year Voisin established his own That same year Voisin established his own factoryfactoryWith Bleriot, he built a biplane with a little With Bleriot, he built a biplane with a little Antoinette motor, used for boats.Antoinette motor, used for boats.

European DevelopmentsEuropean Developments

France was on it’s way in aviation, but other France was on it’s way in aviation, but other countries were making developments in airplane countries were making developments in airplane too.too.

Trajan VuiaTrajan Vuia– Romanian aviator, who called his monoplane ‘No. 1’Romanian aviator, who called his monoplane ‘No. 1’– His aircraft featured variable wing incidence and His aircraft featured variable wing incidence and

pneumatic tires.pneumatic tires.Incidence-Incidence- the angle between the airplane’s longitudinal axis the angle between the airplane’s longitudinal axis and the wing’s chord line.and the wing’s chord line.

Chord line-Chord line- the imaginary line from the leading edge of an the imaginary line from the leading edge of an airfoil to the trailing edge.airfoil to the trailing edge.

First Airplane Flight in EuropeFirst Airplane Flight in Europe

Alberto Santos-DumontAlberto Santos-Dumont

Brazilian aviation pioneer living in Paris.Brazilian aviation pioneer living in Paris.– Turned attention from dirigibles to airplanes.Turned attention from dirigibles to airplanes.– Designed a biplane he called ‘14-bis’ and hired Designed a biplane he called ‘14-bis’ and hired

Gabriel Voisin to build the planeGabriel Voisin to build the plane– 50-hp Antoinette engine50-hp Antoinette engine– Won the Archdeacon Prize for the first flight of 25 Won the Archdeacon Prize for the first flight of 25

meters.meters.– November 12, 1906- first official recognized airplane November 12, 1906- first official recognized airplane

flight in Europe.flight in Europe.

ProductionProduction

Production began by the Voisin Freres.Production began by the Voisin Freres.– Influenced by the Wright brothers, they Influenced by the Wright brothers, they

developed a pusher biplane with a forward developed a pusher biplane with a forward elevator and tail rudder.elevator and tail rudder.

– They produced about 20 planes by 1914, They produced about 20 planes by 1914, WWI. WWI.

– Most European aircraft makers were Most European aircraft makers were influenced by Wilbur’s European Tour in 1908.influenced by Wilbur’s European Tour in 1908.

Henry FarmanHenry Farman

Ordered a plane from Voisin and made Ordered a plane from Voisin and made improvements to it by modifying the tail and improvements to it by modifying the tail and adding ailerons. adding ailerons. – The plane was Europe’s first flight around a circular The plane was Europe’s first flight around a circular

route in 1908 and won the Grand Prix D’Aviation.route in 1908 and won the Grand Prix D’Aviation.

Started his own airplane production company Started his own airplane production company after he ordered a second plane and Voisin sold after he ordered a second plane and Voisin sold it to someone else.it to someone else.1909 Rheims International Air Meet, he became 1909 Rheims International Air Meet, he became the first pilot to fly more than 100 mile (111.8 the first pilot to fly more than 100 mile (111.8 miles) and was top prize winner at the air meet.miles) and was top prize winner at the air meet.

Short BrothersShort Brothers

Horace, Albert, and Hugh ShortHorace, Albert, and Hugh Short– Established an airplane manufacturing Established an airplane manufacturing

company in Great Britain in 1908.company in Great Britain in 1908.– Obtained a license from the Wright brother’s Obtained a license from the Wright brother’s

to build six Wright airplanes the next year.to build six Wright airplanes the next year.The first in the world to produce airplanes in a The first in the world to produce airplanes in a series.series.

Louis BleriotLouis Bleriot

Built the Bleriot XI (1909), became the first Built the Bleriot XI (1909), became the first airplane to fly across the English Channel, after airplane to fly across the English Channel, after ditching the first attempt.ditching the first attempt.Flew across the E.C. for the prize money and to Flew across the E.C. for the prize money and to promote his company.promote his company.– Wilbur Wright considered the feat, but decided not Wilbur Wright considered the feat, but decided not

due to the risk involved, plus he need his plane for due to the risk involved, plus he need his plane for continued marketing.continued marketing.

He crashed in Romania in December of 1909, He crashed in Romania in December of 1909, his 32nd crash, where he was seriously injured his 32nd crash, where he was seriously injured was eventually stopped flying.was eventually stopped flying.

Igor I. SikorskyIgor I. Sikorsky

Believed that a flying machine could be lifted not Believed that a flying machine could be lifted not by wings, but by propeller. by wings, but by propeller. – Back in Russia, he built a helicopter, but it failed.Back in Russia, he built a helicopter, but it failed.

He figured that he should learned to fly first. He figured that he should learned to fly first. – He built the S-1, but it lacked horsepower, He built the S-1, but it lacked horsepower, – but the S-2 flew and he taught himself to fly.but the S-2 flew and he taught himself to fly.

The S-5 was controlled by pedals for the rudder The S-5 was controlled by pedals for the rudder and by a single wheel instead of two sticks from and by a single wheel instead of two sticks from the elevator and ailerons.the elevator and ailerons.1911, qualified for a pilot’s license, number 64.1911, qualified for a pilot’s license, number 64.

German AirplanesGerman Airplanes

Germany entered aviation a bit later than Germany entered aviation a bit later than the U.S., France, and Great Britain, but the U.S., France, and Great Britain, but obtained licenses to bulid foreign airplanesobtained licenses to bulid foreign airplanes

Established about 25 production Established about 25 production complanies before WWI. complanies before WWI.

End of Section AEnd of Section A

Section BSection BAmerican DevelopmentsAmerican Developments

The Wright brothers were number one in The Wright brothers were number one in American aviation, but they were not alone. American aviation, but they were not alone. They lead American aviation through 1908 They lead American aviation through 1908 and even 1909, but they increasingly faced and even 1909, but they increasingly faced competition. Competitors challenged the competition. Competitors challenged the

Wrights in technological matters, commercial Wrights in technological matters, commercial sales, and popular opinion.sales, and popular opinion.

Aerial Experiment AssociationAerial Experiment Association

AEAAEA– Founded and led by Alexander Graham BellFounded and led by Alexander Graham Bell

Purpose was to build a practical airplane.Purpose was to build a practical airplane.Members included:Members included:– J.A.D. McCurdy of CanadaJ.A.D. McCurdy of Canada– Lt. Thomas Selfridge, US ArmyLt. Thomas Selfridge, US Army– Thomas Baldwin (dirigibles)Thomas Baldwin (dirigibles)– Glenn Curtiss (Bike and motorcycle maker)Glenn Curtiss (Bike and motorcycle maker)

Most notable was the development and patent Most notable was the development and patent for their wingtip aileron. Curtiss continued the for their wingtip aileron. Curtiss continued the aileron legacy in his aircraft manufacturing aileron legacy in his aircraft manufacturing companycompany

Curtiss AirplanesCurtiss Airplanes

First Manufactured pusher airplanes with First Manufactured pusher airplanes with aileronsailerons– The ailerons were placed midway between The ailerons were placed midway between

the wingsthe wingsBrought on a legal battle with the Wright Bros.Brought on a legal battle with the Wright Bros.

He tried to get orders from the US NavyHe tried to get orders from the US Navy– He designed hydroplanes and flying boatsHe designed hydroplanes and flying boats

Landplanes with floats in place of wheels, usually Landplanes with floats in place of wheels, usually only one floatonly one float

– Flying boat went under testing Jan. 1912 at Flying boat went under testing Jan. 1912 at San Diego, California.San Diego, California.

Exhibition and Stunt FlyingExhibition and Stunt Flying

Curtiss decided to form an exhibition teamCurtiss decided to form an exhibition team– Two pilots and two planesTwo pilots and two planes

Curtiss performed stunts, pilots did notCurtiss performed stunts, pilots did not

Earned Commission, earned 50% of takeEarned Commission, earned 50% of take

The Wright Bros.The Wright Bros.– The Wright Fliers Exhibition TeamThe Wright Fliers Exhibition Team

Earned SalariesEarned Salaries

Earned less moneyEarned less money

End of Section BEnd of Section B

Time to take a break!!!Time to take a break!!!