Overview
The Blériot XI is a French aircraft from the pioneer era of aviation. The first example was used by Louis Blériot to make the first flight across the English Channel in a heavier-than-air aircraft, on 25 July 1909. This is one of the most famous accomplishments of the pioneer era of aviation, and not only won Blériot a lasting place in history but also assured the future of his aircraft manufacturing business. The event caused a major reappraisal of the importance of aviation; the English newspaper The Daily Express led its story of the flight with the headline "Britain is no longer an Island."
Specifications
Dimensions
| Length | 8.00 m |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 7.80 m |
Performance
| Max. speed | 74 km/h |
|---|
Crew & capacity
| Seats (max.) | 1 |
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Powerplant
| Engine model | piston engine |
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Figures are compiled from public sources and may be approximate; they can vary by variant and configuration.
Photos
Photo 1: J.Klank / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0
Some text and images come from Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons under CC BY-SA licences. Source
