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Pilot marks first Channel flight Pilots recreate Channel crossing
(about 7 hours later)
A Swedish pilot will attempt to recreate the first flight across the English Channel, on the 100th anniversary of the achievement. Two pilots have successfully recreated the first flight across the English Channel, on the 100th anniversary of the achievement.
At dawn on 25 July 1909, Frenchman Louis Bleriot created history by piloting his Bleriot XI from Sangatte, France, to Dover in England.At dawn on 25 July 1909, Frenchman Louis Bleriot created history by piloting his Bleriot XI from Sangatte, France, to Dover in England.
On Saturday afternoon, Mikael Carlson is due to lead three replica Bleriot XIs across the Channel. Edmond Salis had no problems crossing the Channel during the 40 minute flight in his restored original Bleriot XI.
The crossing is part of the Dover 2009 celebrations marking the centenary.The crossing is part of the Dover 2009 celebrations marking the centenary.
But, just as 100 years ago, a Frenchman could get there first, as it is understood that L'aeroclub de France is planning to land a Bleriot XI in Dover at 0630 BST. Identical aeroplane
'Lucky one' Mr Salis, who is also French, was watched by hundreds of supporters when he set off on the journey in his 90-year-old single-seater.
The landing site is the Duke of York's Royal Military School, close to where Mr Bleriot crash-landed after his 36-minute flight, in the shadow of Dover Castle. He was accompanied by a modern Bleriot-style two-seater replica aeroplane.
Both planes landed on a grass airstrip just before 0900 GMT at the Duke of York's Royal Military School, close to where Mr Bleriot crash-landed after his 36-minute flight, in the shadow of Dover Castle.
Louis Bleriot was the first man to fly across the Channel
He beat Swedish pilot Mikael Carlson who was due to lead three replica Bleriot XIs across the Channel later on Saturday afternoon in a bid to be the first to recreate the journey marking the anniversary.
Before the flight Mr Salis said: "Louis Bleriot surely asked himself the same questions as us before taking off, but there was more uncertainty then, since nobody had ever done it before him
His cloth and wood monoplane, which dates from 1934, is identical to the one Bleriot flew.
Around 300 French, British and Belgian pilots are due to follow the trail later on Saturday flying microlight aircraft.
Mr Bleriot's grandson, who is also called Louis, watched the two aeroplanes land.
He said: "Today is a great day the anniversary of my grandfather's cross-channel flight of course -so for me, it's something that I've been waiting for for ages of course.
"Not only to France, but for the world, his cross-channel flight was really the beginning of modern aviation."
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Up, up and away in a Bleriot XI
Mr Carlson, an airline pilot and owner of two replica Bleriot XIs, said: "Louis Bleriot did something very big for aviation by crossing the English Channel.Mr Carlson, an airline pilot and owner of two replica Bleriot XIs, said: "Louis Bleriot did something very big for aviation by crossing the English Channel.
"He was not the only one (attempting it) but he was the lucky one who made it, so he made history and this started the flying revolution."He was not the only one (attempting it) but he was the lucky one who made it, so he made history and this started the flying revolution.
"After this people believed in flying, you could cross continents and water so this inspired a lot of people."After this people believed in flying, you could cross continents and water so this inspired a lot of people.
"The Wright brothers flew first but Louis Bleriot did the next big thing and this started flying in Europe.""The Wright brothers flew first but Louis Bleriot did the next big thing and this started flying in Europe."
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Up, up and away in a Bleriot XI
Mr Bleriot earned worldwide fame and a £1,000 cash prize, courtesy of the Daily Mail, for his 1909 achievement.Mr Bleriot earned worldwide fame and a £1,000 cash prize, courtesy of the Daily Mail, for his 1909 achievement.
His lightweight aircraft, with a 25 horsepower rotary engine and made of ash, went into mass production.His lightweight aircraft, with a 25 horsepower rotary engine and made of ash, went into mass production.
The enterprising Gordon Selfridge had the Bleriot XI taken and displayed in his new department store in London.The enterprising Gordon Selfridge had the Bleriot XI taken and displayed in his new department store in London.
Mr Carlson added: "It's one of the oldest aircraft in the world today. It's a privilege to be able to fly it and show it to people.
"I'm confident in the aircraft, if the engine runs we will make it.
"But the only thing we know about engines is that if you continue to run them, one day they will stop."