|
|
Daring Flight, A
|
|
|
|
Program Overview
|
|
|
NOVA interweaves the story of Louis Blériot's historic flight
across the English Channel in 1909 with his grandson's attempt to
recreate it.
The program:
-
previews Blériot's early life, including his burgeoning
passion for flight and his design of an acetylene-fueled light
that allowed cars to travel at night.
-
presents Blériot's same-named grandson, who hopes to
recreate his grandfather's voyage in an original Blériot
XI.
-
reviews Orville and Wilbur Wright's early experiments with
airplanes and the duo's success in understanding the importance
of wing shape and control surfaces to flight.
-
compares Blériot's design process, based on trial and
error, to the methodical methods used by the Wright Brothers.
-
traces the development and testing of Blériot's aircraft
designs, from the early ornithopter (an aircraft propelled by
flapping wings) to the monoplane.
-
discusses Blériot's contributions to flight, including
his development of modern aircraft controls, such as the stick
and rudder pedals.
-
notes that many components and methods used in the first
airplanes had been developed for other uses, including the
technique of trussing the wooden frames, the lightweight tension
wheels used for landing, the 25-horsepower engines used to power
the planes, and the propeller designs.
-
chronicles the attempt by Blériot's grandson to recreate
his grandfather's famous flight.
-
relates Wilbur Wright's demonstration of his airplane in France
and Blériot's discussion with Wright about wing warping,
the final piece of the puzzle in Blériot's airplane
design.
-
relates Blériot's grandson's failed attempt to cross the
English Channel.
-
recreates through Blériot's own words the experience of
the first flight across the English Channel.
Taping Rights: Can be used up to one year after the program
is taped off the air.
|
|
