>1906 First Powered Flight in Europe
On October 23 Albertos Santos Dumon flew the first powered flight in Europe. the first flight took place at Bagatelle on the outskirts of Paris. the aircraft flew for 197 feet at a height of 10 feet. The first flight won the Arcdecon prize of 3,000 French francs for the first sustained aircraft flight in Europe.
On October 23, 1906, Alberto Santos-Dumont, a Brazilian aviation pioneer, achieved a historic milestone by conducting the first officially recognized powered flight in Europe. This groundbreaking event took place at Bagatelle, a park located on the outskirts of Paris. Santos-Dumont’s aircraft, named 14-bis, flew a distance of 197 feet (60 meters) at an altitude of approximately 10 feet (3 meters). This achievement not only solidified Santos-Dumont’s place in aviation history but also marked a turning point in the development of powered flight in Europe.
The significance of this event extended beyond the flight itself. Santos-Dumont’s accomplishment earned him the prestigious Archdeacon Prize, a reward of 3,000 French francs established by French lawyer and aviation enthusiast Ernest Archdeacon. The prize was specifically intended to encourage innovation in aviation and to reward the first successful, sustained, and controlled powered flight in Europe. To meet the prize’s criteria, the flight had to be observed by an official committee, be sustained over a specific distance, and use a powered aircraft capable of taking off under its own power. Santos-Dumont’s flight fulfilled all these requirements.
The Aircraft: 14-bis
The 14-bis was a unique and innovative design, showcasing Santos-Dumont’s creativity and engineering skills. The aircraft resembled a large box kite, with a canard configuration (the smaller wing at the front) and no separate fuselage. It was powered by a lightweight internal combustion engine that provided the necessary thrust for takeoff and sustained flight. Unlike the Wright Brothers’ earlier flights in the United States, which used a launching rail, the 14-bis took off entirely under its own power, making it the first European flight to meet this requirement. This distinction was crucial in establishing the flight as a legitimate and groundbreaking achievement.
The Flight
Santos-Dumont’s flight on October 23 was the culmination of months of preparation, experimentation, and public demonstrations. Earlier tests had revealed the challenges of achieving both lift and stability in powered flight, but Santos-Dumont persevered, making gradual improvements to his aircraft. When the day of the flight arrived, a crowd of onlookers, including journalists, aviation enthusiasts, and officials, gathered to witness history in the making.
The 14-bis took off smoothly from the grass field at Bagatelle and maintained controlled flight for 197 feet before landing safely. Though modest by today’s standards, the flight demonstrated that powered aviation was feasible in Europe and inspired further experimentation and innovation.
Legacy
Santos-Dumont’s achievement was a monumental step forward for European aviation. His flight demonstrated the viability of powered flight without external assistance, such as launching rails or catapults, and helped to spark widespread interest in aviation across the continent. The Archdeacon Prize was a significant motivator, highlighting the role of competition in advancing technological progress.
Santos-Dumont’s work also bridged the gap between early aviation pioneers in the United States, such as the Wright Brothers, and their European counterparts, fostering a global race to improve and refine the science of flight. His October 23 flight remains a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of the dream of flight.