Demoiselle

The Santos-Dumont “Demoiselle” is a typical example of vintage aviation technology. With a wingspan of 19 feet and a 35 HP engine, the Demoiselle is considered one of the world’s first ultralight aircraft. Alberto Santos-Dumont of Brazil made the first officially observed powered, controlled flight in Europe in 1906 with his canard “14-bis” aircraft. The flight, in France, covered a distance of 722’. 

In 1907 he designed and built the Demoiselle (nicknamed the “infuriated grasshopper”) using bamboo extensively. He made plans available and many were built around the globe. Instead of a conventional control stick placed in front of the pilot, one was located behind the seat and the pilot would slip into the Demoiselle sliding the control stick into a pocket sewn into the back of the flight suit. Leaning to the left or right actuated the wing warping system thus banking the aircraft while in flight. The Demoiselle is an excellent example of a pioneer aircraft demonstrating that aircraft design was still in its infancy, and that standardized methods of control had not yet been developed.

Dumont established a relationship with jeweler Louis Cartier. When he found accessing his pocket watch to monitor his flight time was somewhat inconvenient, he discussed this with Cartier who developed the concept of a wristwatch for men, an idea that Dumont popularized. Cartier continues to produce the “Santos” watch to this day.

Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome founder Cole Palen originally built this reproduction aircraft around 1957, The Demoiselle was expertly restored to its present condition by Dan Taylor in 1998.

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