Page:Open Source Philosophy and the Dawn of Aviation.pdf/13

Open Source Philosophy and the Dawn of Aviation made the first flight of 7 or 13 m (according to different accounts) above the ground, which ended with a violent landing, damaging the propeller and landing gear. On 23 October 1906, 14BIS biplane flew a 50 m distance at a height of 2 to 3m during a seven-see-long flight (Fig. 9).





Figure 9. Left — first light with 14-bis on October 23, 1906. Right — second flight with the type took place on November 12.

Santos-Dumont won the 3,000 Francs Prize Archdeacon, instituted in July 1906 by the American Ernest Archdeacon, to honor the first flyer to achieve a level flight of at least 25 m. Before his next flight, Santos-Dumont modified the 14BIS by the addition of large octagonal ailerons to provide some roll control. Although ailerons had been used in sailplanes before, Dumont pioneered the application for airplanes. Since he already had his hands busy with the rudder and elevator controls (and could not use peddles as he was standing), he operated the commands via a harness attached to his chest. If he wanted to roll right, he would lean to his right, and vice-versa. With the modified aircraft, he was back again on trials on 12 November. This time the Brazilian was not alone. J. Aerosp. Technol. Manag., São José dos Campos, Vol.4, No 3, pp. 355-379, Jul.-Sep., 2012 367