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Daring Flight, A
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Program Overview
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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.
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