Blériot XI

what is it?

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.

🔎How to recognise it: 1 piston engine with propeller · 7.8 m wingspan

base stats

• speed 76 km/htop speed
• seats 1passengers
• built 100made in total

Bars compare against all aircraft: 3,500 km/h, 20,000 km, 850 seats; size and number built on a log scale up to 640 t (An-225) and 45,000 built (Cessna 172).

fun facts

• 🎂First flew 117 years ago, in 1909.

piston: A car-like piston engine turning a propeller: simple and cheap, the classic small plane.

spec sheet

first flight

1909-01-23

introduced

1909

retired

1931

status

still flying

number built

100

role

civil tourer/trainer/military

makers

Louis Blériot, Blériot

engines

1× Anzani 3-cyl. fan / piston engine

crew

1

passengers

1

length

7.6 m

wingspan

7.8 m

height

2.7 m

top speed

76 km/h

range

—

ceiling

1,000 m

wings

monoplane

Specs are for the version in the Wikipedia article's specification section. Blank means the sources don't say.