The Blériot XI, built in 1909, was the result of several years of experiments, encouraged further by the public demonstration of the Wright Flyer. [Image courtesy of Patrick Chovanec]
Key Takeaways:
The article details a *Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020* reenactment of Louis Blériot’s 1909 English Channel crossing using the historically accurate, yet primitive, Blériot XI aircraft.
Flying the Blériot XI presented significant challenges due to its complete lack of instruments (airspeed, altimeter, fuel gauge, compass) and unique flight characteristics, such as constant left-pulling propeller torque and wing-warping for roll control.
The simulated flight mirrored the original 36-minute journey, highlighting the extreme difficulty of navigating and controlling such a basic aircraft without modern aids, culminating in a landing mishap similar to Blériot's historic rough touchdown.
For this session in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 (MSFS2020), I’m reenacting French aviator Louis Blériot’s historic 1909 crossing of the English Channel.
Louis Blériot [Credit: Smithsonian Institution]
Louis Blériot was a French engineer who invented the first practical headlight for automobiles. After building a successful headlight business, he turned his attention to the experimental field of aviation.
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Patrick Chovanec works as an economist in New York City, and has taught as a professor at China's Tsinghua University and at Columbia University. He is a private pilot, and author of the recently released book ""Cleared for the Option: A Year Learning to Fly.""
