The 14-bis, also known as Oiseau de proie, was a pioneer era, canard-style biplane designed and built by Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont. In 1906, near Paris, the 14-bis made a manned powered flight that was the first to be publicly witnessed by a crowd and also filmed. It was also the first powered flight by a non-Wright Brothers airplane aside from short powered "hops" by Clément Ader and Traian Vuia.
Santos-Dumont 14-bis
The 14-bis at the Château de Bagatelle grounds, suspended from the envelope of Santos-Dumont's No. 14 airship
The 14-bis flying over the Château de Bagatelle grounds on 23 October 1906. Note lack of ailerons, which were added later for lateral control.
Monument at the Château's grounds, to Santos-Dumont's flight of 12 November 1906 and its first world record
Aviation in the pioneer era
The pioneer era of aviation was the period of aviation history between the first successful powered flight, generally accepted to have been made by the Wright Brothers on 17 December 1903, and the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914.
Vue du Pont de Sèvres, painted in 1908 by Henri Rousseau
Wilbur Wright gliding, October 1902
Photo of Santos-Dumont's 12 November 1906 aileron-fitted Quatorze-Bis, for its concluding series of flights before retirement.
Henri Farman winning the Grand Prix d'Aviation, 13 January 1908
