Santos-Dumont 14-bis

The 14-bis was an early airplane designed and built by Brazilian inventor Alberto Santos-Dumont. In November 12 1906, in Bagatelle, France, it performed what is widely credited as the first fully unassisted takeoff (meaning, with no help from a catapult) and flight by a heavier-than-air aircraft.

Specifications (14-bis, original motor)

General Characteristics

• Crew: one pilot
• Length: 9.70 m (31 ft 10 in)
• Wingspan: 11.20 m (36 ft 9 in)
• Height: 3.40 m (11 ft 2 in)
• Wing area: 52 m² (560 ft²)
• Empty: kg ( lb)
• Loaded: 300 kg (660 lb)
• Maximum takeoff: kg ( lb)
• Powerplant: 1x Antoinette engine , 18 kW (24 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 30 km/h (25 mph)
• Range: km ( miles)
• Service ceiling: m ( ft)
• Rate of climb: m/min ( ft/min)
• Wing loading: 5.7 kg/m² (1.2 lb/ft²)
• Power/Mass: 0.06 kW/kg (0.04 hp/lb)

Related content

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Comparable aircraft:

Designation sequence: 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 /14-bis - 15 - 16 - 17