Louis Bleriot

	LOUIS BLERIOT French Aero Pioneer
	Born Cambrai, France, in July 1872. Began his distinguished aviation career as a hobbyist after establishing a successful manufacturing business. Made his first flight in an aircraft of his own design in 1907, and in the two short years had produced a line of aircraft known for their high quality and performance. First to fly the English Channel when on 25 July 1909 in his Model XI 25 HP monoplane, he braved adverse weather and flew acrosss the 22 miles of forbidding sea from Les Barraques, France, to Dover Castle in England. In World War I his company produced the famous S.P.A.D. fighter flown by all the Allied nations. His exceptional skill, ingenuity and tenacity contributed much to the advance of aero science in his time, and he remained active in aviation until his death, 2 August 1936.
	Elected to the International Aerospace Hall of Fame 1967