Our Bleriot XI is a reproduction of the Dominjoz Bleriot at the
Smithsonian. The Evergreen Museum at McMinnville, Oregon built it using the
Smithsonian drawings, measurements and detailed photos. It has the longer wingspan of the "racer" version used by Dominjoz. It was a 3-year project and we brought it home to Lenhardt's in July 2006 where we finished the spring shocks and various other details to get ready to license and fly. It is licensed Experimental-Exhibition.
On the first flight, I must have had the speed a little slow as the right wing started to drop (from wing wash-in) and I had to drop the nose to pick up some airspeed to get it under control. (I am thinking that is what happened to Louis Bleriot III) After the first flight, it got a little easier but it took about ten flights before I really felt comfortable. The last and 12th flight to the McMinnville museum was a very comfortable 35 minute flight. It will remain there at the museum for the public to see until next July when I plan to take it back out and fly it home and display it at some shows. My eventual plans include the possibility of taking it to Calais in July of 09 to make a centennial crossing to Dover. We'll see what develops on that.
The take-off speed is 37 mph, cruise is 55 and landing is at 32 mph, using a GPS. We used the Rotec engine made in Australia because of its dependability although the 50 HP Gnome could be installed.
In my 54 years of flying, the Bleriot is certainly the most unusual airplane to fly.
Dan Taylor told me that "there is nothing you can do to prepare yourself to fly a Bleriot" and he was certainly right about that.
Smithsonian
Info www.bleriot.org
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