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bleriot.txt THE BLERIOT TYPE XI, 1909, GMax June 2002
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INTRODUCTION
This add-on aeroplane is designed with Discreet GMax for use with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002.

Through the wonders of PKWare, there will be four elements in
this unzipped download: bleriot.txt (this file, read and save
if you wish), file_id.diz (an id file, delete), a folder
named bleriot and a file named BleriotOilPress_ThxToHGHB.gau.
Put the bleriot folder in your computer's
program files/microsoft games/flight simulator/aircraft folder;
put BleriotOilPress_ThxToHGHB.gau in your computer's
program files/microsoft games/flight simulator/gauges folder.
You'll have the Bleriot Type XI as a choice.

HISTORY
On July 25, 1909, the Frenchman Louis Bleriot made aviation history by piloting his Type XI aeroplane across the expanse of water he would have called La Manche (known on the other side, the British side, as the English Channel). In doing so, Bleriot won a prize of 1000 Pounds Sterling set by the London Daily Mail newspaper.
Bleriot took off from Sangatte, southwest of Calais, at 4:35 a.m. He carried neither compass nor watch; he flew between 150 and 300 feet at a speed of around 45 mph. Strong winds took him off course to the north, but he spotted three ships and guessed correctly that they were bound for Dover. It's said the bad weather proved helpful, as rain cooled the engine which would have otherwise overheated. Bleriot landed at 5:12 a.m., a bit roughly, in fact, on Northfall Meadow, not far from Dover Castle.

THE REAL BLERIOT TYPE XI:
Wing span 7.81 m (25 ft 7 1/2 in.)
Chord 1.77 m (5 ft 9 1/2 in.)
Aspect ratio 4.4
Wing area 14.0 sq m (150.7 sq ft)
Horizontal stabilizer area 2.5 sq m (27.0 sq ft)
Rudder area 0.55 sq m (5.9 sq ft)
Length 7.05 m (23 ft 1 1/2 in.)
Height 2.52 m (8 ft 3 1/4 in.)
Weight, maximum at takeoff 320 kg (705 lb)
Structure: Fabric over ash framework
Control: Wing warpage, elevators on outboard portions of horizontal tail surface, rudder
Power: One air-cooled Anzani 3-cylinder rotary, arranged broad-arrow fashion, 25 hp
Performance: Maximum speed 74 km/h (46 mph)

FLYING THE VIRTUAL BLERIOT TYPE XI
I set the values in aircraft.cfg by the book, according to specifications of the actual Bleriot Type XI. I fooled with engine idle friction and prop MOI to get the behavior I wanted.
The Bleriot Type XI is good fun to pilot from the rear or rear three-quarter view. Also, I find its Virtual Cockpit particularly amusing. And, if you think its flight dynamics are a bit on the twitchy side, you should read what the real one in the Shuttleworth Collection is like to fly (it's not dissimilar).
I encourage you to try M. Bleriot's flight. Set the wind at more than brisk out of the SW; invoke some turbulence for fun. And give yourself only a few miles visibility. Calais/Dunkerque has a grass strip aligned at 24 to get you started (no fair using instruments!). I hope you make it to the English side, just as Louis Bleriot did!

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
So many fellow simmers offered advice that this first GMax project of mine is, in a way, a joint project. Thanks to you all!
Special thanks to John Woodside ("bones") whose encouragement was welcomed.
Sincere thanks to talented gauge makers, HGHB, whose J_52 oil pressure gauge served as a basis for the Bleriot gauge included here.
Also, years ago I came upon a neat old motor sound called clunker.wav and others for rickety gear and wind noise. They fit the Bleriot so well, I'm including them here. Alas, their sources are lost to me; thanks sincerely, whoever you are!
Good friend, aviation expert and author Jonathan Thompson came through with extensive documentation. Other useful sources include "Milestones of the Air: Jane's 100 Significant Aircraft," by John W.R. Taylor and H.F. King; "Bleriot VI: The Story of a Classic Aircraft," by Tom D. Crouch; "In the Cockpit: Flying the World's Great Aircraft," edited by Anthony Robinson; and "From Bleriot to Spitfire: Flying the Historic Aeroplanes of the Shuttleworth Collection," edited by David Ogilvy. Last, years ago I came upon a neat old motor sound called clunker.wav. It fits the Anzani so well, I'm including it here. Alas, its source is anonymous; thanks sincerely, whoever you are!

The entire fltsim community has given me much pleasure. Needless to say, this aircraft is freeware. No responsibility is taken for any loss or damage incurred directly or indirectly from its use. The original unaltered files may be freely distributed, uploaded, downloaded and shared. Please maintain proper credit, of course, and make no financial gain whatsoever. Dennis Simanaitis FSEngEd@aol.com