EAA Sport Aviation - September 2011

design and carve a wooden propeller from solid oak planks.

The assembled engine and propeller were mounted on a custom test stand. At AirVenture 2008, the team was delighted to find that the engine ran, producing lots of noise during the many demonstrations and spraying castor oil just as it should. Measurements of the engine’s rpm and thrust showed a need for a somewhat differently pitched propeller. So another propeller was carved, and the engine was deemed ready to mount on the airframe.

FLIGHT TESTING
As the plane neared completion,
the team decided to model it after
Earle Ovington’s famous Blériot XI,
which was used for the first U. S. air-
mail demonstration flights. Although
Ovington’s plane had a tailskid and a
larger Indian rotary engine, its look
was just what the team wanted. So
the replica’s wings were painted to
match photos from 1911, and final
rigging checks were performed. By
late 2010 the project looked won-
derful and was ready to test, but the
onset of Wisconsin winter meant
months of delay.

Finally on Saturday, June, 4, 2011, the weather seemed suitable, and the team assembled at EAA’s Pioneer Airport. The flight plan called for cautious taxi tests to verify controls. The engine was run on the airframe for the first time, and the controls were tested in the light winds of dawn and twilight. Early on Sunday, June 5, the tail of the plane was raised in full power runs, but the replica didn’t have the needed power to fly. All of the testing had been done into the light winds, which dictated using the slightly uphill runway. Tests were stopped when the winds picked up, and more rigging adjustments were made during the day. On Sunday evening the winds reversed, allowing use of the slightly downhill runway at Pioneer Airport. Once again the Anzani engine roared and spit castor oil, but this time the plane eased into the air after a short ground run. The wind wasn’t directly aligned with the runway, and control inputs to keep the plane over the runway caused the right wing to brush against the ground. A quick inspection showed that the replica was undamaged, to everyone’s relief. The team was

elated—the replica had flown! (In 1909, observers weren’t concerned that Louis Blériot actually crashed when he arrived in England after crossing the channel.) And for years to come, visitors to EAA’s museum will marvel at its beautiful Blériot XI replica that actually flew.

So what does a team do when their project has met its objectives? Just like all homebuilders, they find another project! The EAA museum has a flight-capable J- 1 Standard replica in need of repair. Watch for a future report!

Test flights at Pioneer Airport were made at dawn and dusk to take advantage of calm winds.

Fred Stadler, EAA 37882, is a volunteer pilot at EAA's Pioneer Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. For more photos and video of EAA's Bleriot visit www.SportAviation.org.

Thank You

The volunteer craftsmen who contributed their time,
expertise, and passion to this project were recognized
during a special ceremony in front of the Blériot and the
Centennial of Airmail exhibit prior to the opening of EAA
AirVenture Oshkosh 2011. “There was no money, and there
was no deadline,” said Adam Smith, EAA vice president of
membership, at the ceremony. “And I hope you all agree
with my observation that you did it right. With all of your
involvement, in so many different ways, you brought to
life a true piece of living history.”
Gary Buettner
Frederick Collinot
Terry Conger
Tom Davis
Larry Dawley
Ken Dominy
Pierre Duval
Gene Ely
Rob Erdos
Tom Hegy
Mike Hertz
Tim Hjelle
John Hopkins
Mike Hoy
Sam James
Jim Martin
Don Moder
Ted Mosman
Bauken Noack
Joe Norris
Jim Orvedahl
Orv Perdue
Russ Prima
Gerard Putzer
Bill Schneider
Ken Schucknecht
Jim Self
Gordy Selke
Adam Smith
Fred Stadler
Richard Stout
Ken Terrio
THANKS AGAIN TO THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE FOR MAKING THIS DREAM A REALITY.