A Vlaicu I | |
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Role | Monoplane |
Manufacturer | Army Arsenal in Bucharest |
Designer | Aurel Vlaicu |
First flight | 17 June 1910 |
Number built | 1 |
Developed from | A Vlaicu 1909 glider and rubber band models |
The A Vlaicu I was the first powered airplane built by Aurel Vlaicu.
After flying his glider in Binținți, Aurel Vlaicu moved to the Kingdom of Romania. With help from Romanian-Transylvanian expatriates in Bucharest, he obtained financial support to build his first powered airplane, following a number of demonstration flights with rubber-powered models in front of Romanian government officials and journalists. [1]
On November 1, 1909, he began the construction of his first powered airplane, the A. Vlaicu Nr. I at the Army Arsenal in Bucharest. The Romanian Ministry of War provided an initial grant of 2000 lei, and Minister of Public Education was paying Vlaicu a 300 lei monthly stipend.
The A. Vlaicu Nr. I flew for the first time on June 17, 1910, over Cotroceni airfield. [2]
For his design, Aurel Vlaicu was granted in 1911 patents: AT60800, CH54597, DK15328, FR422554 and GB191026658.
Below are the minutes after aerial demonstrations held by Aurel Vlaicu in August 1910 before a military commission :
Underwriters assisting in day August 13, 1910, from flights performed by the airplane or engineer Vlaicu I agree to the following conclusions to be made to the Ministry of War, which subsidizes this engineer .
Turning first he made smoothly traversing a distance of about 40 m, after which the unit was raised with all wheels at once, taking up diagonally from the corner of North hangar polygon infantry, until it reached a height of 40 m. Aviator long welcomed chapel in his right hand and went on the height at line forts, bypassing then north to the East where he bypassed followed right into the hangar where it landed among the public traversing about 20 m in all this time about 10 minutes, about 14 kilometers to go, the machine running 27 horsepower and so propellers spinning slowly because they could see the blades. There was not the slightest hesitation, pitching, or rocking.
Upon descent, the pilot was applauded and embraced by acquaintances, friends, and protectors. He said he is very pleased with the device, but the engine lubricant spread, and dirty clothes pilot, which will be remedied by the adoption of a curtain.
2nd run on the same road traveled, but rising by 14–15 m to go on the ground and climb up to about 60 m landing was made calm and safe, all in the midst of assistance. Aviator always greet passes to show that he can lead the unit with one hand. Made during the 15 km in 9 minutes (about 100 km. Per hour), with 37 hp (machine can produce 50 horsepower).Signatures:
Captain (indecipherable)
Major (probably) Mihailov
Colonel D. Iliescu
General Georgescu
On September 28, 1910, as a part of the Fall military exercises, Vlaicu flew his airplane from Slatina to Piatra Olt carrying a message, an early instance of an airplane being used for military purposes. [4]
On October 17, 1910, he performed a demonstration flight on Băneasa Hippodrome .
Last public display was on September 17, 1913, part of Aurel Vlaicu's funeral procession.
Data from [5]
General characteristics
Performance
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This is a list of aviation-related events from 1910:
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