A Daring Flight

Student Handout

Blériot's Inventions

Louis Blériot became interested in flight at about the same time the Wright Brothers were experimenting with airplanes. Just six years after the Wright Brothers' historic first flight, Blériot's final aircraft design—the Blériot XI—would hold most of the world's flying records in speed, altitude, and distance. In this activity, you will trace the evolution of Blériot's designs.

Procedure

1. Your teacher will assign you to one of three teams that will cover three of Blériot's plane designs. Make a chart like the one below for your three planes. Draw a picture of your assigned planes on a separate sheet of paper.

2. When you describe and draw the planes, you should note as many features about the planes as you can see in the program, including:

   • shape, number, and placement of the wings
   • placement of propellers, tails, and engines
   • control surfaces, such as rudders, elevators, ailerons, or wing warping

3. When you have finished watching the program, compare notes with your team members. You will report what you learned to the class. Choose one drawing of each plane to share with the class. Label the drawings with as many parts as possible.

Sample Program Notes Chart