He was declared a French hero in 1909 when he made the first journey by aero-plane across the English Channel. He was made a Commander de la Legion d’honneur in recognition of this achievement.
The son of manufacturer, Bleriot took a degree in engineering prior to his military service. In the early 1900s he attempts to build aircraft, later founding the French aircraft factory in 1906.
On 17 September 1907, he flew 186 meters in one of his own monoplanes. In subsequent flights he covered up to his 42 km overland.
On 25 July 1909, just weeks before Wilbur Wright flew around Manhattan, Bleriot took off from Les Barques, Calais, at 4.41 am and landed near Dover Castle 36 minutes later after flight of some 38 km.
His aircraft the Bleriot XI, which was constructed sratiung in 1908, was powered by a 25-HP (19-kW) engine. Bleriot was awarded the 1000 pounds prize of London newspaper had offered to anyone who accomplished the crossing.
His company also received hundreds of orders from the Bleriot XI monoplane. He became one of the leading aircraft designers and manufacturers.
In 1911, a Bleriot plane was the first to be used for military purposes (for reconnaissance by Italians against the Turks) and his plane were used by the French army during World War I.
All the Allied Nations used his famous SPAD fighter biplane in the early part of the war. After other more advanced airplanes replaced the SPAD in combat, Bleriot’s airplane became a training craft.
Bleriot, Louis (1872-1936) – Famous French Aviator
