null
Free Shipping on orders $75+ (Shipping Details Here)
1-855-215-2914
Aviation Oil Outlet
Log In Create an Account Quote Request Credit Application Contact Us
View Cart Cart
loginLogin
Cart Cart

HOME OUR PRODUCTS OUR MISSION CUSTOMER SERVICE VIDEO BLOG
sun-n-fun logo
sun-n-fun countdown
Aviation Oil Outlet Aviation Oil Outlet
  • Aviation Lubricants By Application
    • All Aviation Lubricants By Application
    • Aviation Piston Engine Oils
      • Straight Grade Mineral Oil for Engine Break-in
      • Straight Grade Ashless Engine Oil for Normal Use
      • Multi-Viscosity Mineral Oil for Engine Break-in
      • Multi-Viscosity Ashless Engine Oil for Normal Use
      • Multi-Viscosity Grade Oil for Light Sport Aircraft
      • Aviation Oil with Lycoming LW 16702 Additives
    • Aviation Turbine Oil
    • Aviation Hydraulic Oil
    • Aerobatic Smoke Oil
    • Aviation Greases
  • Aviation Lubricants By Weight
    • All Aviation Lubricants By Weight
    • Aviation Grade 65, SAE 30
      • Straight 65 Grade Mineral, Break-In Oil
    • Aviation Grade 80, SAE 40
      • Straight 80 Grade Mineral, Break-In Oil
      • Straight 80 Grade, Normal Operation Ashless
    • Aviation Grade 100, SAE 50
      • Straight 100 Grade Mineral, Break-In Oil
      • Straight 100 Grade, Normal Operation Ashless
      • Grade 100 with Lycoming LW 16702 Additives
    • Aviation Grade 120, SAE 60
      • Grade 120 Mineral, Break-in Oil
      • Grade 120 Ashless for Normal Operation
    • Aviation Oil SAE 10w-40
    • Aviation Oil SAE 15w-50
      • Multi-Grade 15w-50 Ashless for Normal Use
    • Aviation Oil SAE 20w-50
      • Multi-Grade 20w-50 Break-In Oil
      • Multi-Grade 20W-50 Ashless for Normal Use
    • Aviation Oil SAE 25w-60
      • Multi-Grade 25w-60 for Engine Break-In
      • Multi-Grade 25w-60 Ashless for Normal Use
  • Sanitary Products
  • Bookmark Our Site
  • Get Aviation Oil Outlet's FREE Web App
  • PayPal Resource Page
  • Credit Application
  • Shipping Information
  • Our Products
  • Our Mission
  • Customer Service
  • Video
  • Blog
  • Return Policy
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Quote Request
  • Terms and Conditions of Online Sales
  • Online Shopping Security
  • Terms of Use
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Shop By Brands
  • Login Create an Account
  • Blog
  • Site Map
The Flight Blog - Read Articles The Flight Blog - Read Articles
Back to Blog Homepage
Pilot Profile: Louis Blériot

Pilot Profile: Louis Blériot

By Kayleigh DeMace on Oct 11th 2017

Louis Blériot is famous for being the first to fly between continental Europe and Great Britain. We recently featured his Blériot XI in our Plane of the Week series! 


But this man's life started out as an inventor.

Blériot's Early Years

Born in France on July 1, 1872, his career in aviation was funded by his success as a manufacturer of automotive accessories and headlamps. He created the first practical headlamp for trucks. Earning a degree in Arts and Trades from École Centrale Paris, his early career was focused on business manufacturing.

Seeing Clement Ader's bat-wing shaped plane at a local exhibition awoke his passion for aviation. A lot of his early designs were based on this plane, though he didn't specialize in any one design. Blériot created everything from gliders to monoplanes. 


He didn't learn to fly until he was 30 years old, and he taught himself. His first flight took place in 1907 and just two years later his aviation company had a reputation for producing quality aircraft with high performance.

The Blériot XI was his first aircraft design that didn't immediately crash, though it had a few of its one problems initially-it wasn't able to run for more than 20 minutes at first. But, he proved himself by making a historic flight in the plane.

English Channel Flight

What he's most famous for is his flight across the English Channel in 1909, from France to Dover, England. He was up against two other pilots, Hubert Latham and Charles de Lambert, but each faced difficulty in their flight and were unable to succeed.

Blériot flew his own design, the Blériot XI that day, which won him the London Daily Mail prize of £1,000. 


Without any instruments, he was actually unsure of his location over the Channel until he saw England's cliffs of Dover. The total flight took just under 40 minutes. He flew at around 40 mph, 250 feet in altitude, flying through tough weather conditions and hindered his visibility. Still, he succeeded in his mission, though executing a crash-landing that damaged his propeller and undercarriage.


His aviation career really took off after this. He became one of the leading manufacturers of his generation. He featured the Blériot XI at the first International Paris Air Show, starting out his airplane manufacturing career. 


The Louis Blériot medal was established in 1936 by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale. It is an award given for speed, altitude, and distance records set by light aircraft. Check out a list of winners here!

Considered the "father of the modern monoplane," Blériot's historic flight was the first of many pilot strides in aviation.




Sources:

http://www.ctie.monash.edu.au/hargrave/bleriot.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Bl%C3%A9riot
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/what-you-should-know-about-louis-bleriot-the-pilot-behind-the-first-ever-overseas-flight/articleshow/59714501.cms
https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/medal-louis-bleriot
  • #Aviation History
  • #Pilot Profile
  • #English Channel first flight
  • #Kayleigh DeMace

You might also be interested in:


Newsletter | May 2022
by Aviation Oil Outlet on May 5th 2022

Another Year in the Books! Sun 'N Fun 22 Edition
monthly newsletter
Newsletter | April 2022
by Aviation Oil Outlet on Apr 8th 2022

AeroShell Aviation Grease Grease 5 amber colored, high temperature grease composed of a…
monthly newsletter
Newsletter | March 2022
by Aviation Oil Outlet on Mar 4th 2022

Recommendations for Infrequently Flown Aircraft Ideally, aircraft engines should be use…
monthly newsletter
!

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates on new products and upcoming sales

aoo logo
Aviation Oil Outlet
454 South Main Street
Wilkes Barre, PA 18703
United States of America

1-855-215-2914

Information

  • About Us
  • Accessibility
  • Brands
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Online Shopping Security
  • Privacy Policy
  • Shipping Information
  • Terms & Conditions of Online Sales
  • Terms of Use
  • Video Library

Customer Service

  • Contact
  • Credit Application
  • Quote Request
  • Returns
  • Sitemap

Account

  • Account
  • Cart
  • Checkout
  • Order History

© 2022 Aviation Oil Outlet

payment method icons Bizrate
​